When memory fades due to dementia,
traditions and rituals celebrated
in the past still resonate.

JET in 2015 and won the Wilde Award
for Best New Script in Michigan. “I
saw an opportunity to utilize the skills
of the Detroit theatrical community to
reach a wide demographic.”
To prepare to set up the escape
room, Ramsay-Detherage did consid-
erable research, visiting escape rooms
throughout the area to get a firsthand
understanding of what was being
done. But she aimed to be different —
by using the assets that JET is known
for.
“After looking around, I decided
to make the experience very profes-
sional by bringing in a scenic designer,
sound tech and folks who know how
to construct sets and find props, and
I’m very pleased with the results,” says
Ramsay-Detherage, who also writes
the grant proposals for JET.
Elspeth Williams, part of the JET
team as scenic designer and techni-
cal director, wrote the puzzles and
constructed the escape setting.
Williams brought wide experience to
her assignment because of her work
in escape rooms popular on the west
side of Michigan.
Around the state, patrons have
taken on a variety of popular puzzles
— “Decode Detroit” in Ann Arbor,
“Locked 460” in Grand Rapids, “EPIQ
Escapes” in Jackson, “Excape Games
— Motor City” in Livonia, “Airway Fun
Center” in Portage and “Trapped in a
Room With a Zombie” in Detroit.
Jennifer Popovich, JET sum-
mer intern, composed an original
soundtrack to set the mood for the
adventure, and the recorded sounds
play up the environment that places
imaginative people among distant
pyramids.
“Our unit is portable and measures
about 10 feet by 10 feet,” Ramsay-
Detherage explains. “While allowing
for digital elements, it can be moved
to other places, and I hope it catches
on quickly because it is available for
public use and private parties.
“This room also has been designed
to accommodate people who do not
like being in closed spaces. I compare
it to office cubicles, which do not go
to the ceiling and are made of flexible
partitions.”
Not wanting to give away too much
about the puzzles to be solved in
“The Pyramid Adventure,” Ramsay-
Detherage revealed that the Jewish
connection has to do with decoding
a clue that relates to the Exodus. The
overall puzzle conjures up images
with the curses of King Tut’s tomb.
There will be two hosts, one inside
and one outside the room to help.

AWAKEN MEMORIES AT THE

DOROTHY AND PETER BROWN

MEMORY CARE PAVILION

Fleischman Residence/Blumberg Plaza

Actors will take part, dressed in
Egyptian costumes.
“In a way, this is like a scavenger
hunt in a small area,” the producer
said. “When the hunt and the puzzles
are completed successfully, the group’s
picture will be taken and given to each
person as a memento.”
Just as theatrical shows have
rehearsals, the pyramid escape room
had tryouts. The puzzles have been
tested since August by various groups
of people representing different demo-
graphics. Fun was unanimous.
“I think the escape room is a good
way to give our patrons and their
families something absolutely unique,”
says Christopher Bremer, JET execu-
tive director. “The event is appropri-
ate for ages 12-100. It’s all pure family
entertainment.”
Ramsay-Detherage already is
thinking ahead by designing another
escape room that combines education
with competition. Like this one, it will
be adaptable to various time frames
according to requests.
“Integrating an escape compo-
nent as part of a production gives
traditional theater patrons a unique
opportunity to fully engage while
inviting new audiences into a per-
forming experience,” Williams says.
“This gives us a chance to connect
with a younger generation of poten-
tial theatergoers.” •

details

“The Pyramid Adventure” runs through
March 25 at JET in the Jewish Com-
munity Center in West Bloomfield. $32.
(248) 788-2900; jetperforms.com. For
information on private bookings, visit
enigmadescapes.com.

6HFXUHDQGVXSSRUWLYH
residential memory care
-hour nursing
kosher meals a day
$EXQGDQWSURJUDPLQJ
designed for individuals
with memory loss

For more information call
Jill Bengle

248-661-2999

TTY #711 or
assistedliving@jslmi.org

Fleischman Residence/Blumberg Plaza

6710 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield

Eugene & Marcia Applebaum Jewish Community Campus

People of all faiths and beliefs welcome

jn

February 22 • 2018

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