Co-creator and Artistic Director Christopher McElroen on Fight For America
We’ve come to expect the unexpected from the american vicarious, whose unique productions routinely cross boundaries between disciplines. Their latest work, Fight for America, is described as a war gaming event and takes place this summer in the subterranean chapel that is Stone Nest. We were intrigued to know more so asked Co-creator and Artistic Director Christopher McElroen what it’s all about.
Hi Christopher. Thanks for talking to us today. It’s great to speak with you again about another of your amazing projects. Can you firstly tell us about the premise of Fight for America?
Thank you – it’s great to be back, Mary. Fight for America! is an immersive, large-scale tabletop wargame and performance installation that invites audiences to step inside a reimagined version of January 6th, 2021. Twenty participants take on roles from opposing sides and play out the events surrounding the Capitol riot – strategising, debating, and confronting the tension between patriotism, protest, and power. At its core, the project uses the format of a game to explore the fragility of democracy and the very real consequences of political extremism. It’s part history, part spectacle, and part civic reckoning.
What’s the role of the audience in this production? Do you have to actually play the game, or can you just show up and watch the action?
The audience plays a vital role – whether you’re participating or observing. Each night, twenty players sign up in advance to play the game, while others attend to watch the action unfold. But even as an observer, you’re part of the experience. You can move through the space and engage with Uncle Sam, the gamemaster – who may or may not ask you trivia questions that impact the game. There’s music, snacks, and a game night atmosphere meant to encourage connection and civic engagement – the spirit at the heart of democratic life. Whether you’re playing or watching, the intent is to be part of something bigger than the game.
The game itself has been designed by Alessio Cavatore. What’s his background, and what’s it been like working with him?
Yes. The game was designed by Alessio Cavatore, one of the most respected figures in tabletop wargame design. He’s known for his work on Warhammer 40K, The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game, and Bolt Action, among others. Alessio brings an extraordinary level of experience, precision, and creativity to Fight for America! – but what’s been most exciting is how open he’s been to the political and performative dimensions of the project. He’s helped us build a game that’s not only tactically rich and fun to play, but also balanced and capable of holding real moral and civic weight. It’s been a true collaboration across disciplines.
Can you tell us about the giant game board and its design?
The game board is a major part of the experience – visually, physically, and symbolically. The original idea for Fight for America! came from Neal Wilkinson, who approached the american vicarious with the concept. Neal not only brought the idea, but also designed the board itself, which is actually seven interconnected boards modelled after the actual U.S. Capitol grounds.
At the centre sits a massive 3D-printed model of the Capitol building, weighing over 600 pounds. The entire layout also contains 10,000 hand-painted 28mm miniatures, which are used in gameplay to represent protesters, police, and key figures from the day. Even the cars are there – placed exactly where they were on January 6th. It’s meticulous, immersive, and unlike anything we’ve created before.
The production will take place at Stone Nest, which itself is an extraordinary venue. Why did you choose this location?
Stone Nest is an extraordinary venue – not just architecturally, but in spirit. We worked with the team there on Debate: Baldwin vs. Buckley and found them to be thoughtful, generous collaborators. They’re not afraid of ambitious, socially engaged work, and they understand how to support projects that blur the line between performance and participation. It simply felt like the right place to bring Fight for America! to life.
What do you hope will be the impact on audiences of bringing together cultures of gaming and drama in this very interactive way?
Bringing together gaming and drama allows us to collapse the line between spectator and participant – and that’s essential to the piece and what we strive to do at the american vicarious. Democracy requires participation. In Fight for America!, you’re not just watching events unfold; you’re part of them. Your choices matter. Your presence matters.
By merging the strategy and immersion of gaming with the emotional resonance of drama, we create a space for active engagement – where the lines blur, the stakes feel real, and the experience lingers. It’s not about escape. It’s about asking: What do I stand for? And how do my actions shape the world around me?
Thanks very much to Christopher for taking the time to tell us about this extraordinary project. Fight for America runs at Stone Nest from Tuesday 10 June to Sunday 6 July. Further information and tickets available here.
