Cast of An Ark: Golda Rosheuvel, Sir Ian McKellen, Rosie Sheehy, and Arinzé Kene. Photos courtesy of The Shed.

New York City is full of new and exciting experiences, and the cultural center The Shed in Hudson Yards is offering a new, technological way to consume theater. An Ark is the first play created for mixed reality, and provides a very unique and thoughtful experience.

An Ark at The Shed.

Centered around the human experience, An Ark consists of four guiding beings providing you with an understanding of life’s complexities, ranging from birth, to first loves, through to death. The cast consists of Sir Ian McKellen, Golda Rosheuvel, Arinzé Kene, and Rosie Sheehy. It is written by Simon Stephens and directed by Sarah Frankcom.

When you arrive to The Shed, you are asked to remove your shoes as part of the experience. You are then given a pair of mixed reality glasses, where the four actors will then appear on four chairs in front of you. The 47-minute journey will then begin.

Visitors experiencing An Ark through mixed reality glasses.

The actors are not present for the play and the entirety of the performance is viewed through the glasses. If you require prescription eyewear, they offer corrective lenses subject to availability.

An Ark runs through March 1. They offer showtimes Tuesday through Thursday at 4 pm, 6 pm, and 8pm, and Friday through Sunday at 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, 6 pm, and 8pm. Tickets are available on their website.