Empowering risky choices: care ethics and risk management in participatory immersive performance

This article examines audience engagement in immersive theatrical productions, focusing on why some participants thrive while others feel fearful or reluctant. It critiques traditional risk management systems for overlooking psychological and social risks in participatory art. Using insights from Joan Tronto’s care ethics and Paul Slovic’s risk perception, this study proposes that grounded risk management in care ethics can enhance audience experiences. By focusing on developing tools to help address unintentional discomfort, the article suggests that a reimagined approach to risk assessment could foster deeper engagement and emotional resilience in immersive performances.