top of page
PRISONCORE!
Written by Kanishk Pandey
The Brick/Exponential Festival 2025
Photo by Lauren Serafica
Director: Rachel Gita Karp
Producers: Emma Richmond and Thalia Sabon
Scenic/Lighting Designer: Kelvin Pater
Costume Designer: Lissa Carandag-Sweeney
Media Designer: Lauren Serafica
Projection Designer: Zee Hanna
Sound Designer: Ariana Cardoza
SM: Alisa Rabin
Prisoncore! is an experimental and ambitious world premiere that questions freedom and examines the systems in which we attempt to survive. The play begins with Lucky, a prison guard, teaching a class for prisoners on how to be "fixed." This reeducation class consists of the way that Lucky improved his own life which is through Blackjack. He shows the prisoners a livestream of a blackjack game hosted by a Vtuber, Rain. The second half of the play examines the other side of the screen and the girl behind the Vtuber. This production attempts to inspect how these two sides and people are trapped by the systems that hold them. The external forces of fate, luck, and hope push these characters to continue to work within their confines. Additionally, the third character is the omnipresent voice that exists as a corporate voice and the idea that someone is always watching.
IMG_5444
IMG_5445
IMG_5444
1/2
Concept
The design concept focuses on filling the space with a constant and addicting sound that matches the electronic and gritty world. The audience enters the space as a prisoner and is immediately immersed in the world of the prison. There is a room tone that subtly sets the stage for this familiar but uncomfortable setting.
The Blackjack games played throughout the first act are filled with sound effects for every move that Lucky makes. The tone is eery and familiar. It references casino noises and old video games. Rain, the Vtuber hosting the games, introduces surprise Tarot cards that disturb Lucky as well as the fabric of our reality. That is exhibited through video and sound design.
The second act strips away the prison and shows stark emptiness that the person running a game hears. This time the horrifying world of Lucky is only heard intermittently when Lucky pays to talk to Rain. Rain's world is ripped apart as she attempts to work a 24-hour stream but realizes that no one can win when the rules forbid it.
Blackjack & ui fx
Sound moments
Prisoncore IntroAriana Cardoza
00:00 / 00:32
Justice TarotAriana Cardoza
00:00 / 00:19
The play begins with the sounds of Lucky ominously making his way into the prison and the theatre space.
ExecutionAriana Cardoza
00:00 / 00:45
Act 1 ends with a prisoner making the wrong decision and being punished by Lucky. *Warning gunshot FX
Judgement TarotAriana Cardoza
00:00 / 00:20
Judgement Tarot 2Ariana Cardoza
00:00 / 00:10
Black Inky Hands & EndingAriana Cardoza
00:00 / 00:45
The ending of the play has a jumpscare that pulls Rain away and Lucky is ambushed by the prisoners who are inspired to revolt.
Tower TarotAriana Cardoza
00:00 / 00:25
These are some Tarot card moments in the second act that rupture our reality and has the audience question the world that we are in.
bottom of page