“I didn’t know what to expect from this show. I was excited to go, but did not expect to be blown away. I have a penchant for live shows, mostly of the musical nature. I try to take in as many as possible and Fear Experiment, by far, exceeded a lot professional acts I have seen in regards to OVERALL entertainment.”

As a way to meet others, challenge themselves, learn a skill, and be a rockstar, strangers sign up solo to spend two and a half months rehearsing an art-form -- dance or improv this go round -- with a group of other solo and fearful people, and then perform in front of hundreds (often a sold-out audience of 700).

Please join in celebrating their fear-facing at their debut AND encore performance at this inspiring evening of adults saying YES to vulnerability and embracing their suckage! (Secret: they really don't suck after all that hard work)

Think this sounds fun and want to participate? Apply for the next Fear Experiment℠. More info here.

Partner Love

FAQs

How does the Divvy option work? What's Divvy? Why should I want a Divvy Day Pass?

• Check out this blog post by Mac & Cheese on Divvy for more info on what Divvy is and why it's awesome, as well as check out their website
• If you choose the Divvy option when buying a ticket, within a week of your purchase, you'll get an email from "Saya | Mac & Cheese Productions" with a code that you can use at any Divvy Dock that will allow you unlimited rides of 30 minutes or less for a 24-hour period
• The code expires 7/31/16
• If you don't get this email within that timeframe, check spam
• Still not there? Contact Saya

If I choose General Admission + Slideshow Ad, how will I know what to send when?

• For more info on a slideshow ad, head here; this is also where you can buy an ad separetely from your ticket (but you don't get the $10 discount!)
• After you purchase your ticket, finalize your ad request here
• Within a week of your ticket purchase, you'll get an email from "Saya | Mac & Cheese Productions" with instructions on how to create and place your slideshow ad
• If you don't get this email within that timeframe, check spam
• Still not there? Contact Saya

Where are my seats?

• Seating is General Admission
• Are there bad seats? No. BUT fifty of the tickets are standing room, and it's first come first serve for seats. So the last fifty to enter the theater will probably be the ones sans seats if we sell out.

Do you sell out?

• Sometimes!

When do the doors open and the show start?

• Doors open at 6:30pm
• Show starts at 8pm (sharp!)

What time do I need to arrive?

• Some people come at 6pm -- do you need to come that early? Definitley not!
• You can show up at 7, 7:34, 8...
• The early-birds are usually ones who want booths, want to hang with friends pre-show, and/or want to get a big section of seats together

Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event?

• Anyone 21+ who wishes to drink must have an ID
• Those 18 and younger must be accompanied by an adult
• We try very hard to make shows family-friendly but do be aware that sometimes 'adult' topics may come up (especially in improv and storytelling) from the audience or participants
• We suggest not bringing children younger than ten due to the length of the show and aforementioned topics

Can I bring a baby?

• Please don't

Do you have discounted tickets for children? Can children come without tickets and sit on laps?

• No, every attendee must have a General Admission ticket

Do I have to bring a printed ticket to the event?

• Nope! Your name will be on list at the front door, along with the number of tickets you purchased
• Just bring your ID

When will my tickets be sent to me?

• There are no actual tickets
• You will get a confirmation from Eventbrite immediately after purchasing your tickets letting you know you're all set and your name is on the list

I'm planning on surprising someone in the show with my attendance. Anything I should know?

• Participants know the names of all the ticket purchasers
• If you want to surprise someone, it's suggested you have someone who is also going to the show buy your ticket for you so that your name isn't on the ticket list
• Don't use a fake name as the name on the ticket list needs to match the ticket purchaser

Can I leave and come back?

Is my ticket transferrable?

• Yep! You may transfer your ticket to someone else.
• To do so -
  • Log into Eventbrite
  • Go to "My Tickets"
  • Click "View Order"
  • Click "Edit"
  • Update the page with the information of the person taking your ticket (name and email)
  • Mark "Send confirmation email to new attendee"
  • Hit "Save"

What is the refund policy?

• There are no refunds. Please make sure you can come before you purchase tickets.

The name on the ticket-list doesn't match the attendee. Is that okay?

• If your name isn't on the ticket-list, you must enter with the person whose name is, e.g. the ticket purchaser
• You may enter the venue separately from the ticket purchaser as long as they added your name to the ticket list when they intially purchased tickets
• If you foresee problems with this, you may want to buy your tickets separately

Can I buy tickets at the door?

• Maybe -- we decide this the week of the show
• If we're not sold out (we often are!)

How many tickets can I buy?

• For General Admission, up to ten per order; if you want more than ten, you can make another order
• For General Admission + Slideshow Ad, one total (until they're gone!)

Is the show handicapped accessible?

• Yes, just reach out to Saya (the curator) to let her know you need an accessible area

Is there another way to pay for tickets other than Eventbrite/online?

• No
• The Park West is NOT selling tickets at the theater prior to show day or on show day

Is food sold at the theater?

• No but check out some of the nearby food places below, including a Fear Experiment discount

What can't I bring to the event?

• Outside beverages, including water, are not allowed; security will make you throw it out

Is there an intermission?

• There is a 10-minute intermission

How long does the show run?

• About two-hours and thirty minutes'ish; each show varies in length

After the show, can I hang out with the Rockstar I came to support?

• Absolutely! The theater and bar will remain open for a bit post-show and anyone is welcome to stay and hang out.
• After the theater closes, we'll head to The Sedgwick Stop, a few blocks away, to continue celebrating, for those 21+

Is there a coat check?

• There's a paid coat-check available

Are photos and video allowed?

• Absolutely! And we encourage you to tag #FearExperiment so that we can all enjoy your images

What are other good things to know?

• There is a minimum credit card charge for drinks so you may want to bring cash
• Theres's a bathroom attendant so you may want cash for a tip (though tipping is NOT required!)

What are my transportation options?

• Public transportation, bikes, and cabs are highly-recommended as PARKING IS DIFFICULT
• There is a Divvy station down the street from the theater (Clark & Armitage)
• The brown-line Armitage stop is about a mile west
• Lincoln, Armitage and Clark St buses stop very near the theater
• There is a mix of un-metered street parking and metered parking
• Instead of a cab, try
• Uber: use code UBERCHEESEIT for a free ride for first-time users up to $20
• Lyft: use code SAYA20 for a free ride for first-time users up to $10
• Sidecar: use code SAYA7 for a free ride for first-time users up to $20
• Garage/Lot Parking
  • A very helpful parking tool is Park Whiz which allows you to search for nearby spots; first time users use this link for a $10 discount
  • A mile from the Park West >> (Old) Children's Memorial Hospital Garage, 2346 N. Lincoln, 5 hour max, no elevator service and it's six levels so you may have to walk up/down ramps or stairs. Plenty of cabs/Lincoln bus if you don't want to walk; FREE*
  • Around the corner from the Park West >> PNC Bank Parking Garage, 2036 North Clark, 3 hours $16, 12 hours $18*
  • 4 blocks from the Park West >> Chicago History Museum lot, 1730 N. Stockton; 3 hours $15, 4 hours $20, 24 hours $28*
  • *Rates change so double-check before parking in a lot

Are there places to eat nearby?

• Yes!
  • The Sedgwick Stop -- mention Fear Experiment℠ day of show and get 20% off your pre-show dine-in bill of $25+
  • Stanley's
  • Ranalli's
  • RJ Grunts
  • Subway (352 W Armitage Ave)
  • The Dog Joint
  • Gejas
  • Cafe Ba Ba Reeba