We Give It
8
10outta
The Nest by Scout Expedition Co.
It all began with a letter and a key…
I opened the envelope and read the letter inside. A woman named Josie had passed away and, without any next of kin, her storage unit had gone up for auction. I was the winner of that auction, inheriting a complete stranger’s storage unit… and her memories.
I held the small key in my hand as I walked down the foggy corridor to Josie’s – now my – storage unit. I put the key in the lock and a new world opened before me.
The Nest is Scout Expedition Co.’s newly remounted immersive show which plunges audience members into someone else’s memories. One or two people get the chance to explore Josie’s life through the carefully collected contents scattered throughout the storage unit. With elements of an escape room – keys, combinations, clues to follow – guests must be interactive with the sets and props to learn more about Josie, but there isn’t the same amount of urgency. Instead, guests are encouraged to look around, dive deeper into what interests them, and take everything in as they please. There are no live actors in The Nest, only excellent voice work; Josie was a journalist and made cassette tape recordings of her memories – these tapes guide the narrative. Nor is The Nest scary; the darkened corners of the storage unit might raise some caution, but that is just your imagination.
The narrative of The Nest is simple and right at your fingertips, but it’s the set and prop design that are awash in complex intricacies. On more than one occasion, I found myself jaw agape in awe at the mysteries I’d uncovered within the seemingly innocuous space. I listened to snippets from Josie’s life – from when she first received the tape recorder to close to her death – and it was a simple life, a normal life with its ups and downs. But the ambiance made it so much more than that. There is a reverence in The Nest – so much so that my boyfriend and I kept mostly quiet or whispered as we discovered new items from Josie’s life among the stacks of haphazard cardboard boxes. To say the sets and props are detailed is an understatement. Board games, newspapers and magazines from the 1960s, a view finder from the ‘80s, and antique camera equipment all punctuate Josie’s life through the ages, and we felt naturally inclined to show even the smallest of trinkets hushed respect.
The Nest has so much more to offer than antique and outdated props. However, my words cannot do the set justice and I wouldn’t want to spoil it for you anyway. As we unlocked each new memory, it came with new sounds and smells, along with the sights and contents therein, excelling at transporting us to a different time and place. Each new cassette tape offered more insight, but no real answers, no big twist or climax. Attendees expecting an “aha!” moment will be disappointed. Those who wish to uncover everything simply won’t be able to; after speaking to the creators, we learned that not everyone finds all of the cassette tapes, creating a unique experience for each individual (or pair).
With The Nest, creators Jarrett Lantz and Jeff Leinenveber have excelled in building a world of engaging discovery. Even though the narrative is not incredibly dramatic, the environments on display are rich, unique, and worthy of exploration. The Nest is a lovely and quiet character study through beautiful environments.
The Nest is currently sold out, but follow Scout Expedition Co. on Facebook or Instagram for updates, and check their website for future adventures.
