On Tuesday, Oct. 14, and Wednesday, Oct. 15, Whitewater students and the community gathered at The Young to experience a theatrical performance unlike any other: “The 20-sided Tavern,” a live-action adaptation of the iconic tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. The production combined improvisational acting, audience participation, and stunning visual effects to immerse attendees in a comedic and unpredictable adventure.
For those who are not familiar with the game, David Stracener, president of UW-Whitewater Dungeons & Dragons Club, explained the appeal of the game.
“It’s a tabletop role-playing game,” Stracener said. “Imagine Monopoly, except you are the pieces, and the game unfolds around your choices. Each player creates a character with unique abilities and personalities, then navigates quests created by a Dungeon Master, who guides the story, sets challenges, and reacts to every decision.”
Dungeons & Dragons, often abbreviated to D&D, combines strategy, storytelling, and creativity. Players engage in combat, solve puzzles and interact with fictional worlds while making choices that shape the outcome of the story. Stracener emphasized the inclusive nature of the game.
“Anyone can play, you can be a young child with a giant gorilla following you or a seasoned wizard. The game adapts to you,” Stracener said.
Murray, and Jasmine Malave. Wednesday, Oct. 15 (Calise Howard)
The stage adaptation, however, added another layer; the audience became part of the story. Viewers voted on character choices, influencing the direction of the performance. R. Alex Murray, a performer and ensemble member of “The 20-Sided Tavern,” described the thrill of this unpredictability. “We truly don’t know what is coming next,” Murray said. “It’s about trust, collaboration, and staying loose. The audience gets to throw curveballs, and we respond to it live. It keeps every show fresh, funny, and completely unique.”
Diego Salinas, another ensemble member, noted the balance of spontaneity and preparation.
“Every night is a combination of improvisation, instinct, and intuition,” Salinas said. “We’ve worked together long enough to anticipate each other’s moves, but the dice and audience can completely change the story. It’s exhilarating,” Salinas said.
RJ Christian, another performer, described the inclusive and engaging nature of the show.
“It’s not just a performance; it’s a shared experience,” Christian said. “Everyone in the audience is part of the adventure. They laugh with us, react to the surprises and help shape our story.”
The performance started with impressive animations and background effects, setting up a mysterious tone. Comedic elements were woven seamlessly throughout the evening, frequently breaking the fourth wall and keeping the audience engaged. Despite the humor, the ending was sentimental, leaving viewers with a meaningful message about teamwork, trust, and creativity.
The D&D Club is hosted in Hyland 2101 on Mondays at 6:30 pm.
For more information on Dungeons & Dragons: The Twenty-Sided Tavern, visit https://thetwentysidedtavern.com/nationaltour.
