Immersive Experience Powered
by Artificial Intelligence
The Waiting Room Previews in NYC, May - June 2025
Photo: JinHuang
Breakthrough Genre of Storytelling
If you’re a fan of immersive and interactive theatre, you may know the thrill of a “one-on-one” moment, when an actor picks you from the crowd and makes you the focus of a scene. The Waiting Room takes that idea further, creating an entirely new genre of storytelling where every audience member receives a personalized experience. Each story is shaped by your input, tailored to you, and inspired by you, like an audiobook where you’re the muse.
The Waiting Room is a human-created, human-centered immersive experience that uses AI not to replace creative voices, but to enable something uniquely theatrical: the live personalization of story. Every audience member becomes the center of their own narrative, with scenes generated in real time based on their input, using prompts crafted by the show’s writer and director, Natalia Yandyganova. The AI component is powered by OpenAI’s generative tools and brought to life by the developer David Gaynor.
You’ll explore a mysterious environment alongside others, each navigating their own unique storyline. The Waiting Room blends theatrical design and generative technology to create a deeply personal, shared experience, one that’s never been possible until now.
Story
A mysterious message from the “future self” invites participants into an immersive space where AI unveils their projected histories. In The Waiting Room, choices shape a unique, evolving audio narrative, guiding participants through moments of dreams realized and challenges faced. As their future unfolds, from the fulfillment of deepest aspirations to a global crisis that transforms the world, participants explore a bizarre, unpredictable world where technology and humanity collide, prompting reflection on how our choices shape the future.
Once stepping into The Waiting Room, you won't walk out the same person.
Genre: drama, interactive, immersive, audio storytelling, AI.
Writer, Director: Natalia Yandyganova
Producer: Joyce Lao
Co-producers: Sabrina Morabito, Anna Bredikhina, Jin Huang
Developer: David Gaynor
"...terrific use of new technologies in an audience participation setting".
- Ariel Estrada
"...extremely impressive how well the AI works. Highly recommend".
- Warren McGinnis
"A unique shared experience that (gently) forces you to interact with
and discover the things that connect all of us! A novel and exciting concept..."
- Richard Dean
We always look to connect with other artists, share our knowledge about AI or find events to perform our shows. For any inquiries or offers, please send us an email to one of the addresses listed below.
For collaborations & general inquiries - thewaitingroomnyc@gmail.com
For press and partnerships -thewaitingroomnyc2@gmail.com
We are also looking for Artists working with AI to interview for our TV Show! Please send your info and links to your work to whatryawaitingfor@gmail.com and we will get back to you with details.
Be a part of something great by donating to our project! Any amount can make a huge difference. Donate $5 via Venmo or Paypal, or make a large donation on our Fiscal Sponsor's website (linked below).
Your donations will be tax deductible!
Interested in donating food, beverages, or other goods for our live fundraising events? Please shoot us an email.
We are fiscally sponsored by New York Foundation for the Arts!
We would like to thank these sponsors for supporting the first iteration of The Waiting Room Series
"SOULMATES (NOT) FOUND" at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2023!