About Chicken Road
Where imagination crosses reality
Our Story
Chicken Road was born in 2014 from a chance meeting between two passionate individuals: Alexander Thornfield, a theater director frustrated by the limitations of traditional stage performances, and Eliza Montgomery, a costume designer tired of seeing her creations worn only under spotlights. After organizing an impromptu role-play event in Alexander's backyard where participants had to decide whether their characters would "cross the chicken road" as a metaphor for taking risks, they discovered a hunger for immersive experiences that blur the boundaries between audience and performer.
The name "Chicken Road" stuck as a playful reminder of that first event and the fundamental question at the heart of all storytelling: Why do characters make the choices they do? What compels someone to cross that metaphorical road? From that humble beginning with just 15 participants, we've grown into the premier provider of immersive role-play experiences and themed costume parties, serving thousands of guests annually across corporate, educational, and entertainment sectors.
Our headquarters, affectionately called "The Coop," began as a small rented studio in a repurposed warehouse. Today, we operate from a 15,000-square-foot facility housing our creative studios, costume workshops, props department, and event planning offices. Each space is designed to inspire creativity and foster collaboration among our growing team of performers, designers, writers, and technicians who work tirelessly to create unforgettable experiences that challenge participants to step outside their comfort zones and cross their own chicken roads.
Our Mission & Values
Mission
At Chicken Road, we create transformative immersive experiences that empower individuals to explore new identities, develop authentic connections, and discover unexpected aspects of themselves through the art of role-play and storytelling.
Our Core Values
- Boundless Imagination: We believe in pushing creative boundaries and reimagining what's possible in immersive entertainment.
- Authentic Engagement: We create spaces where people can form genuine connections and experience emotions without judgment.
- Inclusive Storytelling: We craft narratives that represent diverse perspectives and make everyone feel welcome at our metaphorical crossing.
- Playful Growth: We embrace the power of play as a tool for personal development and transformation.
- Craft Excellence: We maintain the highest standards in costume design, narrative construction, and event execution.
Meet Our Leadership Team
The visionaries who bring our immersive experiences to life.
Alexander Thornfield
Founder & Creative Director
With a background in experimental theater and game design, Alexander blends narrative techniques from both worlds to create experiences that respond dynamically to participant choices. His innovative "Crossroads Method" of story design has become a standard in the immersive entertainment industry. When not crafting new worlds, Alexander can be found playing traditional tabletop RPGs or exploring interactive fiction.
Eliza Montgomery
Co-Founder & Design Director
Eliza's award-winning costume designs have transformed participants into everything from medieval knights to futuristic space explorers. Her ability to create costumes that both look spectacular and function practically during active role-play scenarios sets Chicken Road apart from competitors. Eliza oversees our costume workshop and mentors emerging designers through our apprenticeship program. Her work has been featured in major fashion and entertainment publications.
Marcus Wellington
Performance Director
Former Broadway performer and improv coach Marcus brings theatrical expertise to our immersive experiences. He trains both our professional cast members and helps participants develop confidence in their role-play characters. His background in psychology gives him unique insight into creating emotionally resonant moments that participants remember long after the event concludes. Marcus pioneered our "Embodied Character" workshops that have helped thousands overcome social anxiety.
Sophia Chen
Innovation Director
With a background in game development and interactive media, Sophia leads Chicken Road's technology initiatives. She has spearheaded the integration of augmented reality, AI storytelling, and biometric feedback systems that enhance our immersive experiences without sacrificing human connection. Her team has developed proprietary software that allows our game masters to manage complex narrative branches for large groups seamlessly. Sophia frequently speaks at technology conferences about the future of immersive entertainment.
Our Achievements
Over the years, Chicken Road has set new standards in immersive entertainment:
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Industry Recognition
Winner of the Immersive Entertainment Excellence Award for three consecutive years (2021-2023). Our "Mythic Realms" series was specifically highlighted for its innovative participant-driven storytelling approach that adapts to player choices in real-time.
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Global Expansion
From our humble beginnings, we've grown to host events in 12 countries across 4 continents, bringing our unique brand of immersive storytelling to diverse audiences worldwide. Our methodology has been adapted to honor local storytelling traditions while maintaining our signature interactive elements.
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Corporate Partnerships
Trusted by Fortune 500 companies including Microsoft, Google, and American Express to develop custom team-building experiences that translate business challenges into engaging role-play scenarios. Our corporate client retention rate stands at an impressive 87%.
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Educational Innovation
Our educational programs have been implemented in over 50 schools nationwide, helping students engage with subjects from history to literature through immersive role-play. Studies have shown a 35% increase in information retention when compared to traditional teaching methods.
What People Say About Us
Chicken Road transformed our annual corporate retreat into an unforgettable adventure. Their team created a medieval fantasy scenario that perfectly mirrored our company's challenges in a creative way. Watching our executives role-play as rival guild leaders negotiating a peace treaty provided insights into communication styles we'd never have discovered in a traditional workshop. Six months later, team collaboration has improved measurably.
As an educator always looking for innovative teaching methods, Chicken Road's historical immersion program was revolutionary. They transformed our American Revolution unit into a series of role-play scenarios where students embodied historical figures facing critical decisions. The "Chicken Road moment" where students had to decide whether to sign the Declaration of Independence, knowing the risks, created emotional connections to history I've never seen in 15 years of teaching.
I attended the "Cosmic Crossing" space odyssey event as someone who's normally quite shy and reserved. The attention to detail in the costumes and set design immediately transported me into another world, but what really surprised me was how Chicken Road's staff helped me develop my character beforehand and supported me throughout the experience. For the first time, I felt comfortable stepping outside my comfort zone and fully embracing the role. It was genuinely transformative.
Experience the Magic
A glimpse into our immersive worlds and the memories we create.
Ready to Cross Your Own Chicken Road?
Whether you're looking for a unique team-building experience, an educational program, or simply an unforgettable adventure, we're here to create the perfect immersive event for you.
Contact Us TodayAccessibility Commitment
At Chicken Road, we believe everyone deserves to experience the magic of immersive storytelling. We are committed to making our events as accessible as possible to participants of all abilities.
Our accessibility features include:
- Inclusive Design: We design our experiences with multiple ways to participate, ensuring those with mobility limitations can fully engage.
- Sensory Considerations: For participants with sensory sensitivities, we provide detailed information about sensory elements in advance and offer quiet spaces during events.
- Financial Accessibility: Our scholarship program ensures economic constraints don't prevent participation in our public events.
- Customization: For private events, we work closely with organizers to accommodate specific accessibility needs of their group.
If you have specific accessibility requirements or questions, please contact us before booking. We're committed to finding creative solutions that enable everyone to cross their chicken road.