Dreamscapes in Motion – The Shape of the Night

James Murphy
Jun 14
2 min read

Seattle’s historic Georgetown Steam Plant became something entirely otherworldly this spring — an immersive production that blended haunting movement, surreal storytelling, and layered performances into an experience that was equal parts disorienting and exhilarating. You don’t just attend this show — you inhabit it.

Created by AOTW and originally staged in Los Angeles, The Shape of the Night brought together a cast of fearlessly haunting performers who blurred the line between reality and dreams. I had the honor of documenting the final performance — capturing just a glimpse of the magic they conjured. From eerie hallways to dreamlike vignettes, every moment was a moving target and exactly the kind of challenge I live for as a Seattle theatre photographer.

These production photos and highlight reel are a tribute to the designers, technicians, choreographers, and performers who built a universe inside a boiler room and invited us all to wander through the dreamscape they created.

Thank you, AOTW, for bringing this unforgettable experience to Seattle.

A person in a hat reveals a glowing chest device in a dim, industrial setting with purple lighting and scattered equipment as part of immersive theatre production The Shape of the Night created by AOTW and captured by theatre photographer James Murphy for Trainman Photography

If you’re creating bold, immersive, or once-in-a-lifetime performance work — I’d love to help you capture it. Contact me at James@trainmanphotography.com to put your Seattle event photography and theatre production photos needs on track.

The Shape of the Night

Created by AOTW

Presented by Emergence Films and Helmstreet Productions

CAST:

Lucie Dittie - Harper Bizarre and Eric Hoff

The High Minister of Somnolent Affairs - Summer Herrick

The Dream Dealer - Megan Chang

The Artist - Lío Sainz-Jones

The Hero - Kevin Tanner

The Lover - Rachel Noll James

The Innocent - Katie Peabody

The Sage - Aaron Keeling