# Terrifying Theater Shows 'The Tension Experience: Ascension' is a Live Horror Show By Joey Haar | Published 2016-10-03 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-tension-experience References: [theverge](http://www.theverge.com/2016/9/30/13115910/tension-experience-ascension-haunted-house-escape-room-maze-bousman) & [thetensionexperience](http://thetensionexperience.com/timeline/) Just in time for Halloween, 'The Tension Experience: Ascension' is a new theater show that combines the best (or worst, depending on one's opinion about horror entertainment) aspects of [haunted houses and escape rooms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eyes-never-wake) with the theatricality of a play. The [immersive experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-immersive-quest) leads audiences on a journey through the history of a destructive cult lurking on social media. The Tension Experience began its run not as a live show, but as an [immersive VR experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/immersion-vr) that gave backstory to the creepy cult from the show. Now, in the real world, the show requires a large space, with a cast of over forty actors. Rather than taking place in a typical theater, the show is being put on in a 45,000 square foot warehouse, painstakingly decorated to tell the terrifying tale. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.6/10 - Popularity: 85% | Activity: 74% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/media) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Immersive Theater:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating immersive theater experiences that combine elements of haunted houses and escape rooms. - **VR Experiences:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing virtual reality experiences that provide backstory and enhance the overall theater show experience. - **Interactive Storytelling:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporating social media and interactive elements in theater shows to engage audiences in a unique way. ### Who This Affects Most - **Entertainment:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Transforming traditional theater experiences by incorporating immersive, interactive storytelling. - **Technology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Advancing virtual reality technology to create more realistic and engaging theater show experiences. - **Marketing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Leveraging social media and interactive elements in theater shows for innovative marketing campaigns. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Unique Immersive Theater Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sleep-no-more.md) - [Year-Round Horror-Inspired Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/universal-horror-unleashed.md) - [VR Horror Hotel Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/draculas-hotel.md) - [Immersive Art Escape Rooms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/daydream-adventures.md) - [Avant-Garde Theatrical Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/avantgarde-theatrical-experience.md) - [Live Board Game Productions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-twentysided-tavern.md) - [Floating Escape Rooms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/floating-escape-room.md) - [Experiential Entertainment Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/illuminarium-1.md) - [Horror-Themed Overnight Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/warner-bros-icons-of-horror.md)