When the cast of freeFall Theater’s The House of Future Memory assembled for the first time, as per tradition each person’s script was waiting for them, the binders named and neatly laid out on the read-through table.
The binders were empty.
The House of Future Memory is a totally improvised play. Which means that there’s no script, and no two performances are the same.
What remains, from show to show, are the six cast members, a backstage computer equipped with high-functioning artificial intelligence, lights, sound, music … and a willingness to take chances.
Explains cast member Sara DelBeato: “We always say, before we go onstage, we have each other’s back. So it’s actually this safe place to be, and have fun. I love that the audience can see that we’re having a good time.”
Ah yes, the audience. The AI generator (voiced by freeFall artistic director Eric Davis, who dreamed up the whole concept) “asks” attendees a series of detail-rich questions, egged on by the cast, then devises three potential stories based on the responses. The audience then decides which of the three will be performed.
That “play,” with computer-generated backdrops, takes up the entire second act. The actors have chosen their characters during intermission, but they haven’t seen the backdrops or the lights, and they have no idea what the others are going to do or say. But their mandate is to include every piece of stray detail the audience has asked for.
“As disciplined as you might think we have to be,” DelBeato says, “it really goes to this organic place of play. Which I think theater is all about anyway, right? And the AI is like a tool, a companion on the journey, that kind of helps us structurally.”
There are songs in every show, although the lyrics, devised on the spot by AI and discreetly displayed for the singing actors, are new for each story and character.
Which is a particular blast for DelBeato, who’s been singing almost as long as she’s been walking a talking. “As a kid, singing was my go-to, my safe place. Along the way I kind of bumped into acting. But I think they really go hand in hand, because for me a song is less about perfection – there’s a story to tell. So when I’m listening to a singer, I want to hear that story and I want to see that story.
“With the genres of music I enjoy singing, there’s a lot of improv. And I love being funny and making people laugh.”
The Pasco County native came up through the ranks of local community and dinner theaters, and has cruise line stage and touring-show credits.
In recent years, she has become a cornerstone at freeFall, where audiences have seen her – usually in strong comedic and/or musical roles – in For Closure!, Road Show, Moriarty: A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure, God Bless You Mr. Rosewater, Nightsweat, The Night Before, Assassins and others.
“I’m very, very thankful,” DelBeato says. “For me, freeFall feels like a home theater. And I know not everyone gets to experience that, so I feel very lucky. I love being there, and I want to be a part of that space and those people. I truly believe Eric encourages and fosters ideas, with complete openness and trust.
“It’s an honor to be thought of, and that they trust me with being there. It makes me feel good.”
The House of Future Memory has been onstage since June 13, and will run through July 13.
“I feel like we’ve gotten to a place where we’ve kind of found our stride,” DelBeato beams. “I go every day really looking forward to it. It’s like ‘What’s going to happen today?’ And as much as I love digging into a book show, there were no lines to learn. And it’s fun to dig into that.”
The cast, she says, will arrive at the theater saying “last night was so much fun; maybe that means tonight will be even better.” Inevitably, it is.
“It’s just a fun ride. And when you’re doing it with such great people, it feels safe. So you feel even more open to experiment and take the story wherever it’s going to go.”
For showtimes, tickets and additional information, visit the freeFall website.
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