FAQs

 
  • Nightworks Obscura is locally owned and operated out of Birmingham, Alabama. Every story we stage begins here.

  • Nightworks Obscura is a traveling theatrical experience. We partner with local organizers and venue hosts to bring each story to life in the setting it deserves. These are not ordinary spaces; they are chosen for their atmosphere, architecture, and ability to hold a secret. We operate from within locations with character, contrast, and a hint of the unknown.

  • Yes. Our events are immersive by design, and your attire plays a role. Guests are required to dress in character-appropriate evening wear—think moody, elegant, mysterious. You’ll receive styling guidance along with your character dossier after booking.
    Don’t have the wardrobe for it? We understand not everyone has a costume closet at home. Fortunately, there are many online shops offering stylish and alternative attire—including vintage sellers, costume curators, and artisan designers. Etsy is a great place to start, as are independent retailers who specialize in gothic, cabaret, or noir aesthetics. When in doubt, dress to unsettle.

    Guests who arrive without appropriate attire may find themselves… misplaced. While we won’t turn anyone away, you may be reassigned to a more peripheral character. After all, the night chooses its players carefully.

  • Absolutely. We offer vegan and vegetarian options upon request. Please let us know as soon as you reserve your ticket, so our caterer can prepare accordingly.

  • All ticket sales are non-refundable within 72 hours of the event. Prior to that, cancellations may be eligible for a partial refund or credit toward a future show (minus processing fees). This ensures we can maintain the integrity and intimacy of every production.

  • Our shows are written for 12 guests exactly. If one or more members of your group can’t make it, let us know as soon as possible—we may be able to fill the spot from our waitlist. While we can’t offer refunds inside the 72-hour window, resold or transferred tickets may be credited toward a future experience at our discretion. If the guest count falls short and compromises the show, we reserve the right to postpone or adapt the performance.

  • Not in the traditional sense—but yes, in spirit. Each guest receives a character dossier before the event. You’re encouraged to embody your role as much or as little as you wish. Some guests remain quiet and observant; others lean into the drama. Both are valid. Just remember: the more you give, the more the night gives back.

    We’ll never put you on the spot—but you are part of the story.
    If you’re unsure how much you’d like to participate, we recommend choosing a General Admission ticket, which offers a more peripheral role in the unfolding mystery.

  • This is who the roles were made for.
    The VIP experience is crafted for those who wish to be woven deep into the mystery. As a VIP, you’re more than a guest—you’re a force in the room.

    Your experience includes:
    – An exclusive enamel pin and a collectible keepsake
    – A premium character dossier, steeped in secrets that thread closer to the core narrative
    Access to the Intercast: a hidden encounter or revelation, reserved for those who discover it
    A choice of character from our limited VIP roster, ensuring a role that fits your spirit—or unsettles it
    Narrative influence and in-game advantages that may alter the course of the night
    Discounts on photo ops and behind-the-veil merchandise

    VIP roles come with deeper access, sharper stakes, and sometimes… consequences.
    You’re not just part of the show.
    You are the hinge on which the night turns.

  • Oh, we’re so glad you asked.

    Yes—and it becomes our most immersive and exclusive experience.

    When you choose to buy out the event, every seat is yours. The full cast of twelve characters is assigned to your private party—no strangers, no sidelines. Every guest becomes a fully realized player, with unique goals, secrets, and story threads.

    All twelve guests receive VIP treatment, including:
    – A premium character dossier with embedded secrets and challenges
    – Keepsakes, discounts, and potential access to the Intercast

    VIP characters are positioned closer to the action, and some possess in-game abilities or narrative influence—but every role is essential.
    This version of the show is tailored to your group and performed only once per request.

    The story belongs to you. And it will not unfold this way again.

  • Your character dossier will be emailed after ticket confirmation, with ample time to prepare before the performance. It will include your character’s background, suggested attire, and any secrets you may carry into the night.

    Read it carefully. The story starts long before you arrive.

  • Guests should arrive promptly at the instructed time—late arrivals may miss key moments and risk being written out of certain scenes.

    The full experience lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, though some guests may find the effects linger far longer.

  • Yes. Our shows are for adults 21 and up due to the gratuitous nature of certain content and the inclusion of alcohol service.

    Expect mature themes, unsettling moments, and spirits—both in glass and in presence.

  • Alcohol is sometimes served at Nightworks Obscura events, depending on the venue. At our current location, we do not serve alcohol directly. However, the current venue is a fully licensed bar, and all alcohol service is managed exclusively by the venue host, in accordance with their rules.

    We encourage guests to arrive 15 minutes early to open a tab and place drink orders directly with the bar before the experience begins. You’re welcome to enjoy your drink during the show unless otherwise noted by our facilitators.

  • Will there be merchandise or photos available?
    Yes. A merchandise table will be available for a limited time after the show, featuring exclusive items such as enamel pins, collectible keepsakes, and limited-edition t-shirts themed to the performance.

    Guests may also take part in a themed photo-op with props and select members of the cast.

    VIP guests receive special discounts on both merchandise and photo sessions.

  • Not only can you—it’s encouraged.

    There will be a moment just after curtain call where gratuities are welcomed and appreciated. Think of it as a final gesture, a token of thanks for those who guided you through the dark.

    Generosity, after all, is a powerful kind of magic.

  • While our stories often involve secrets, crimes, and consequences, Nightworks Obscura is more than a murder mystery—it’s an immersive descent into shadow.

    Sometimes, yes, there’s a body. Sometimes, the killer is among you.
    But not always.

    Some nights unravel through puzzles and cryptograms, rituals and strange logic—the kind of reasoning that comes only at the brink of madness. And no two productions share the same ending.

    The mystery is real.
    But what you’re solving… might not be what you think.