Constellation Stage & Screen opened its latest mainstage production this week with “Séance: The Board Awakens,” a theatrical experience that blends suspense, storytelling and illusion around the infamous Ouija board. Written by and starring Rob Zabrecky and directed by Chad Rabinovitz, the production runs through Feb. 15 at the Waldron Arts Center.
The story follows a fictionalized tale inspired by the man who helped popularize the Ouija board in the 1920s. Set among the remains of a former Ouija board factory, the production blends staged illusions with narrative storytelling as Zabrecky guides the audience through a séance-themed performance.
Zabrecky, a Los Angeles-born magician, actor and author, wants the audience to walk away with more than just a thrill.
“I hope they leave feeling they’ve experienced something original, provocative, intriguing, and a little unsettling in the best way,” Zabrecky said.
He said the production is historically relevant, noting the Ouija board’s role in American culture and its lasting presence on game shelves nationwide.
Before the performance began, audience members were invited to conduct their own séance in the Waldron Arts Center lobby. Once inside the theater, spectators found themselves almost on stage, seated just feet from the dimly lit, fog-filled set designed to resemble a crumbling factory. The immersive set featured exposed brick, scattered timber and black-and-white portraits.
The story was created over the span of a year with co-creators Rabinovitz and Zabrecky weaving together different performance elements for the production.
“The process broke down into three equally important parts: the writing, the magic and the acting. Each demanded serious time and attention,” Zabrecky said. “On top of that, the story itself had to be as compelling as the magic effects and the acting had to be as convincing as both. None of those elements can carry the show alone.”
During the performance, audience members were invited to participate, interacting with elements of the set. One audience member was brought to stage to tie knots around Zabrecky’s limbs for one of his many magical illusions for the night.
IU graduate student Robert Howard was one of the audience members selected to take part in the performance, giving him a front-row view of the show’s interactive elements.
“I think when you're just sitting and watching something, it's easy to kind of tune out or to let your mind wander,” Howard said. “But being asked to participate sort of forces you to be present in a way that a lot of media doesn't.”
The second act of the show offers an especially intimate experience through séance table seating, where eight audience members were invited to the stage for a live séance. The small, close-up setup allowed participants to fully engage with the performance, while the remaining audience watched from their seats, sharing the tension.
Ellen Post, a community member who attended previous Constellation productions, said she felt shaken after the second act. She has been interested in spiritual practices since the passing of her son and was particularly drawn to this production.
“I felt like there was a lot going on that couldn't be explained,” Post recalled. “My heart was pounding. Literally. Just pounding out of my chest.”
Tickets for upcoming shows can be found on the Constellation Stage & Screen website.
