A phone call for one person to the last remaining survivors of real-life disasters and triumphs.
‘Last One Standing’ is an experience that wants you to think about what it would be like to be the last one of a specific group. There a a lot of things in our current world that have the capacity to isolate us, so how can we connect our own feelings of loneliness and emptiness to those of others, and show empathy? Listen to the story of your chosen ‘last one standing’ or interact with them – you decide.
You choose one of the numbers/people to call. When you do, you get connected to a live actor (in the role of this person) who tells you their story via a monologue. The monologue turns into interaction, where the actor might ask you questions about loneliness, feeling singled out – but also about happy thoughts and memories. You can have a conversation with them if you want to, but it’s also totally fine to just listen to their story.
At the end of the phone call, you will be asked to share you current feelings, thoughts and possible solace for the person you have just talked to. You can do this via the so-called ‘mailbox of solace’ – the tablet, that has an app running that will prompt you to write or draw something and send it off (see second video here).
The Mailbox of Solace at home
After writing something and sending it off, you will be prompted to take a small card home. This card has an url and a QR code for www.mailboxofsolace.com. Here you will be able to see your own message, and that of others. Being able to share these stories of solace between people who have done the experience creates a more lasting connection to the artwork. Reading the stories of other visitors also fits with the general themes of the project, as this again hovers between making that connection to other people’s stories while still experiencing this connection all by yourself.
Text example
Click here for the text of one of the phone calls (Bahia, only survivor of plane crash). Because of the interactive nature of the piece, the experience will be slightly different for every caller.
Reviews and reactions
Audiences described the piece as being ‘moving’ and a ‘wonderful experience’. A review from the Orlando run plus other audience reactions can be found here.
Practical info
Show length: 20 minutes (can be programmed in blocks of 5, once or twice a day)
Audience: 1 person per show
Location needed: an indoor space with a door, fairly soundproof (some outside sound can bleed but no loud overpowering music). Windows are okay as long as there are no people passing regularly.
Space size: at least 3x3m, no maximum but should feel comfortable and not intimidating for just one person alone.
Technical needs: Good mobile phone signal, cozy light, possibility to hang a small musical mobile (2kg) either from the ceiling or from a (wall) mount.
Costs
Seeing that this show can only be attended by one audience member at a time, Last One Standing will never be profitable. Development and production has been supported by the Cannonball Snack Track stipend and Creative BC. Additional costs per show will have to be financed through ticket sales/programming fees/buy outs/donations.
A single show costs USD30, which is the fee for the actors. Next to this, there is also a potential cost for sending the set materials to the location and back (a 3kg package sized 14”x9”x4”), and/or a fee for the host that instructs the audience before they enter the room (if there is no volunteer or local staff member available for this).
As Last One Standing is similar to an interactive installation, and the actors do not have to attend the theatre space live, this project can be set up by the programming festival/location without anyone from Hummingbird Interactive present. The festival will be sent a package with materials and a detailed instruction for the person/volunteer manning the door. Of course, someone from Hummingbird will always be available remotely during all showtimes for troubleshooting or other issues that pop up, and we can provide a call beforehand to talk through everything as well.
In some cases, a creative from Hummingbird will be able to attend the shows themselves, bring the materials and do the hosting. Possibilities depend on location (near to a creative or not) and event (a festival invite or the possibility to also take part in a panel event or workshop).
About the Artists
Jedidjah Julia Noomen (she/her), founder of Hummingbird Interactive and director/writer of Last One Standing, is a Dutch/Canadian writer/director and narrative experience designer. She started out in film and theatre, and used her experience in site specific and immersive theatre as a gateway into the digital and video game industry. There, she contributed narrative design to unique projects like Alt-Frequencies, a sci-fi audio-only game about misinformation (French Game Award for ‘Best social theme’) and Mrs Benz, a VR experience about the woman behind the very first car (official XR selection Venice and SXSW).
The digital ‘Mailbox of Solace’ was developed by gamedesigner Alexander Kehn (they/them). Always eager to stray off the beaten path, Alexander is a Game Designer specializing in oddities and solving complex design challenges. After wandering the lands in various touring bands and musical groups, Alexander received their Bachelors of Game Design from Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario and has been active professionally as both a Designer and Developer since 2021. Currently located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Alexander is working on a variety of projects that seek to explore the boundaries of interactive media. He has been supported on this project by Justin Vrieling (he/him), who also graduated from Sheridan College and mainly works as a programmer. Justin loves creating expressive games and is inspired by player interaction.
Production support was given by Carina Kom (she/her), who has been working in the video game industry for over 16 years as a developer, producer and advocate for diversity. For Last One Standing she has been supporting digital development, testing and outreach.
Cast
Onella de Zilva, Mercedes Hesselroth, Janine Renee Cunningham, Simon Green, Fred Skoler, Rylan Klaseen, Bora ‘Max’ Koknar, Dasha Kittredge, Tara Ocon, Tyler Davidson, Parker Sela.