Fear Experiment

If you’re interested in being an instructor, partner, or sponsor, head here.

Fear Experiment (FE) is a unique way to create community, push oneself, experience personal growth, and have fun. Strangers come together to learn an art form and then in their debut and encore performance, showcase in front of hundreds of adoring fans. FE is adult summer camp and an adult recital rolled into one unforgettable experience that continues to ripple after the final bows.

Art forms have included dance, improv, a capella, storytelling, stepping, and Broadway.

The criteria to participate?

  • You sign up solo. This encourages you to leave behind the security blanket of familiar faces to counterintuitively make it easier to create new relationships.
  • Your inner-you should be saying “You want me to do what?!” AND/OR your inner-you should feel an excitement you haven’t felt in a while
  • You’re a nice, open-minded, yes’y human being

FE is for complete newbies, for folks who’ve taken a class or two, for folks who majored in the art form in college—it doesn’t matter your experience level. What matters is your interest in being a part of an awesome community and that something about the experience instills a bit ‘o fear in you, and/or a giddiness that feels good cause adulthood is too gosh darn serious much of the time.

Through 14 iterations, almost 400 adults and 50 underserved youth have participated in the program, and over 7000 people have attended the show, including multiple theater sell-outs.

Have you ever experienced a 750-person standing ovation? For everyday people challenging themselves? It’s magical, both for those giving it and those receiving it.

Participant Testimonials

"I’d probably rank my experience in FE as one of the top five best experiences of my life. It’s very rare to meet so many amazing, adventurous, open-minded, and accepting people when you’re an adult.”

“All of you wonderful, positive people came into my life at the most perfect time and I now can’t even imagine life without all of you.”

“My mother, after the show: ‘Did you take a pill? Are you on drugs?’ Me: ‘What? No! I mean, I took an Allegra earlier . . . ?’ Mother: ‘Well, I just have never seen you so happy. I figured you were on some magical upper.’ There you have it. FE has made me so happy my own mother thinks I’m dabbling in illegal drugs.”

“Participating in FE was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. Saya has a gift for bringing diverse communities of people together and her talent for this was on display throughout the how FE process. Working with complete strangers toward a common goal—the big show—was the perfect starting place for personal growth and building deep personal relationships. I am a better person for having gone through FE.”

“One of the great things about FE was that, while scary to put on a show for such a large crowd, it was structured in such a way that it was impossible to fail. Going in we knew that we didn’t really know what we were doing, but everyone knew it, and was supportive, and that’s what made it so easy to put on a great show regardless.”

“The best thing about Fear Experiment is that it introduced me to an incredible group of strangers who quickly became friends. Our ages spanned nearly four decades and our occupations were all over the board, including an accountant, professor, zoologist, photographer, social worker and lawyer. It is not a stretch to say that most of us might never have crossed paths if not for Fear Experiment.”

View Cheese-It Testimonials →

Audience Testimonials

“Fear Experiment is my third favorite concert behind Michael Jackson and Cher.”

“It was the best evening out I’ve had in a long time and I would recommend the show to anyone! I left feeling warm-hearted and inspired!”

“I have to admit that watching my daughter take part in the Fear Experiment was a real experience for me. I am so proud of her for taking on something so outside her comfort zone. Standing up on stage and doing improv would never have occurred to me when I was her age and I honestly wish I lived closer to the city so I could try it now.”

“It’s a pleasure to witness people living out loud.”

“I’ve never seen (my sister) so happy and confident.”

“I didn’t know what to expect from this show. I was excited to go, but did not expect to be blown away. I have a penchant for live shows, mostly of the musical nature. I try to take in as many as possible and FE, by far, exceeded a lot professional acts I have seen in regards to OVERALL entertainment.”

“Fear Experiment was such an incredible show that I was moved to tears at certain parts. I think part of why it’s such a cool thing is because every single person in that room has been or is afraid of something, and we could instantly relate to everyone on stage . . . and then were also instantly inspired by them because there they were, facing their fears, in front of a giant audience. It was such a well put-on show that I can’t wait to see (or maybe sign up for) the next one.”

View Cheese-It Testimonials →

Fear Experiment Fourteen (FE14)

  • The Senior Services Intergenerational Center for Arts and Wellness (Generations Center), 114 30th Street (free, easy lot parking)
  • Classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays, February 25th – April 29th, 6-8pm
  • Dress Rehearsal: Friday, April 30th in the PM
  • Show: Saturday, May 1st time TBD
  • Art Form: improv
  • Age 18+
  • Participant Fee: $175 | Scholarship Participant Fee: $75 These “less than usual” fees are made possible with support from Senior Services and The Winston-Salem Foundation. See application for further scholarship detail.

This iteration of FE is special in that it’s Winston’s inaugural FE and that it’s a part of a collaboration with Senior Services —

Through Dismantling Ageism through the Arts: a Community-Led, Intergenerational Arts and Community Dialogue Series, funded by The Winston-Salem Foundation, multiple partners and participants will work concurrently, separately, and come together for an uplifting, multifaceted celebration. Besides improv-based Fear Experiment, elements include photography and writing programs and facilitated community dialogues. The initiative uses artistic expression, public performances, and conversation to elevate awareness of ageism, challenge age-based stereotypes, and foster meaningful understanding between people of different generations throughout Forsyth County.

The experience, from start to finish, will be documented via Wake Forest University’s Documentary Film Program, capturing participant experiences, creative processes, and reflections on ageism and intergenerational connection. Upon completion, screenings of the documentary will be offered to the community.

By creating repeated opportunities for meaningful interaction and shared accomplishment, Dismantling Ageism through the Arts seeks to replace assumptions with understanding, strengthen connections across generations, and cultivate a greater sense of belonging, trust, and community. This work seeks to increase social capital, reduce isolation, and contribute to a more connected, inclusive, and age-friendly community.

Before you apply, highly suggested you —

  • Read the FAQs below
  • Watch the FE Info Session, where alum speak about why they applied, the time and financial commitment, classes, the show, the aftermath, and the overall experience. This is especially helpful if you’re not sure if FE is for you, if this is the right time, or if you have any other hesitations.

|| Apply Here ||

FAQs

What are all these acronyms?

  • FE = Fear Experiment
  • DE = Dance Experiment
  • IE = Improv Experiment
  • SE = Stepping Experiment
  • AE = A Capella Experiment
  • TE = Storytelling Experiment
  • BE = Broadway Experiment
  • FE’r = Fear Experiment participant

If there’s a number after an acronym, that’s the round of the program, e.g. DE1 = Dance Experiment One, the first round of DE.

Will there be another FE after this one?

Maybe! Depends on what other pots we’ve got our hands in, how this one goes, and the interest level from participants, sponsors, and partners.

I’m interested in being an FE participant. What do I do?

Apply! If applications are closed or there isn’t a current FE, to be notified when FE is open again —

I’m interested in being an FE instructor. What do I do?

Fill this out.

Where does FE take place?

It started in Chicago and now takes place in Winston-Salem, NC.

When and where do participants rehearse?

Depends on what FE you’re in and what art-form you’re in. This detail is shared with the announcement of every new FE.

Who are the participants?

Dance Experiment One (DE1) dancers were all friends of Mac & Cheese. Now, FE’rs are friends, friends of friends, and strangers.

What do you look for in a participant?

  • Adventuresome spirit
  • “Bad” at the specific skill (well, it’s ok if you’re not ‘bad’ at it… even ok if you used to ‘do’ it)
  • Nervousness and/or fear
  • Positive, team-oriented, go-with-the-flow attitude
  • Don’t know most of the other participants
  • Dependable, answers communication in a timely fashion, and adheres to deadlines
  • Willing to market the experience and the show to friends and contacts
  • Willing to be videotaped and photographed throughout
  • Overall awesomeness!

What do you look for in an instructor?

Same answers as for in a participant (except for being bad at the skill!), plus:

  •  Skilled in the art form
  • Able to work with a range of skill levels
  • Patience
  • No set curriculum; fresh new ideas rather than relying on what they’ve already taught

Do participants stay in touch after the show?

Yes! When the show is over, the relationships are just beginning.

When does FE happen?

Usually Fall or Winter.

What is stepping?

It’s a mix of foot movements, handclaps and voice chants, historically performed by African-American Greek letter organizations but now shared by many multicultural fraternities and sororities. See an example.

Who are the kids in some of the FE shows?

Many FEs have a “Do Good” component, where we partner with an underserved community, such as an elementary school in an under-resourced neighborhood. We’ve also worked with organizations like Inspiration Corporation, which serves the unhoused and unemployed.

How can I sponsor/partner with FE?

Head here.