When Dimension 20 takes the stage for a live show, preparation is anything but ordinary. From psych-up playlists featuring The Notorious B.I.G. and Carmina Burana to quirky rituals involving a crab shell believed to hold a spirit, each cast member brings their own unique flair to get ready. Whether it’s a pre-show workout, mental warm-ups with intense music, or lighthearted gaming sessions to ease nerves, the team crafts an electric atmosphere that transforms a tabletop game into a theatrical spectacle. With sold-out performances at iconic venues like Madison Square Garden and the Hollywood Bowl, Dimension 20’s live shows blend meticulous planning, improvisation, and audience energy to create unforgettable adventures where anything can happen-even a canon character’s dramatic death.
Interviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.
Lou Wilson (Kingston Brown)
Lou Wilson brings to life Kingston Brown, a nurse and the Vox Populi of New York City, in Dimension 20’s acclaimed campaign The Unsleeping City. Known for his comedic and acting talents, Wilson’s portrayal of Kingston blends playful humanity with profound themes of community and stewardship, making the character deeply endearing and resonant. His preparation for live shows involves revisiting the character’s evolution, appreciating Kingston’s complexity beyond the initial concept of a city cleric, and embracing the collaborative storytelling that defines Dimension 20’s dynamic gameplay. This approach highlights Wilson’s commitment to embodying Kingston’s spirit as both a protector and a vibrant member of the city’s magical underbelly.
The thing I drive most with when it comes to performance is that your body has to meet your mind, and so both of those things need to be warmed up. So I really like to work out before a show. If I can’t get to a gym, I’ll just go on a long walk, try and get my heart rate up, try and get my body hot, and knowing that there’s something coming.
And then I also like to get my mind right, so that is intense music-listening. Isolation. Space to hit the rhythm I would like from my brain, the patter I’d like to be at going into the show. But then also I think, especially for this kind of work – especially D&D – it’s hanging out with my friends a little bit to get us all together and feeling like we’re on the same page, doing bits, feeling natural and comfortable with the group before we bring the audience into that space with us.
[In terms of music] I like to listen to stuff that is thematically tied to either the energy that I want to emerge onto the stage with, or is just the kind of stuff that gets me going. I think I’ll probably listen to “Hypnotize” by Notorious B.I.G. a thousand times [before Madison Square Garden]. I’ll listen to that song that The Alan Parsons Project did [“Sirius”] that was the Chicago Bulls song – I’ll listen to that about a thousand times. I’ll probably listen to some opera. Things that are epic in scale. Carmina Burana, I’ll probably listen to that a bunch. And just imagine the gates of heaven opening up as I step on the stage of Madison Square Garden. I think that’s what it feels like when 20,000 people get go bananas when you walk out on the stage.
Ally Beardsley (Pete Conlan)
Ally Beardsley portrays Pete Conlan, also known as Pete the Plug, in Dimension 20’s The Unsleeping City campaigns. Pete is a complex character-a former drug dealer and bookstore employee who serves as the Vox Phantasma, or “Voice of Dreams.” Beardsley brings depth to Pete’s story, which involves struggles with addiction and recovery, symbolized through gameplay mechanics like starting with a d4 die that progresses as Pete improves. The character is a Wild Magic Sorcerer, a fitting metaphor for the chaos in Pete’s life and the impact on those around him. Beardsley’s portrayal is notable for its emotional nuance and the innovative use of dice to reflect Pete’s mental state, making the character a fan favorite in the Dimension 20 series.
To get ready for a show, I have an old crab’s shell that I think contains the soul of my past uncle. I touch that. I have it on a small altar. I like wearing a really specific black-pepper-scented lotion, and so I always put that on my chest and stomach early in the morning. It’s really important to delay caffeine and see natural light as soon as possible. And if you can, get direct sunlight on your stomach and chest. It’s really important. I usually grind my own coffee beans, and I’ll do that outside in the sun.
I touch the crab shell, I put on the pepper lotion. I like to drive to shows so that I can listen to music, but I try to listen to this thing called “Healing Tones.” And it’s like this specific frequency, and they all have really embarrassing names like “Forgiveness for Yourself” – it’s so hippie, it’s ridiculous. But now I’m just really addicted to the feeling of calm that I get.
I feel like with performing, it’s hard to take a full, deep breath and get the kind of groundedness that you need. With all of our specific style of comedy, we really like playing things as normally as possible, to highlight how crazy someone will go. And that’s what I like to do too, just show up to a show almost as if I had just meditated and I’m ready to just be as top of intelligence and normal as possible, so that Lou can say something completely insane.
Zac Oyama (Ricky Matsui)
Zac Oyama brings to life Ricky Matsui, a well-meaning and earnest firefighter with a heart of gold, in Dimension 20’s The Unsleeping City campaigns. Known for his subtle comedic brilliance and ability to portray relatable, sweet characters, Oyama embraces Ricky’s unflappable and silly nature, making him a fan favorite. Preparing for live shows like the monumental “Gauntlet at the Garden” event, Oyama prefers minimal preparation, relying on improvisation and his deep familiarity with the character to keep performances fresh and authentic. His portrayal highlights the charm of New York City as a magical setting, reflecting the character’s grounded yet heroic spirit in a world full of wonder.
I really ignore it. I really ignore the show. I really try not to think about it. I am one of those people that will just turn into an anxious tailspin if I overprepare. And so really underpreparing to the point of deeply underpreparing is my answer. This is bad for me. I’m already starting to spin out.
I do like a little downtime – almost like just in a parallel way. If we were in a space where we could play some games or something. Like, if we were playing Mario Kart. We’ve never done that to prepare for a show, ever. But if we were playing Mario Kart before, I think that would be my ideal version.
Brennan Lee Mulligan (Dungeon Master)
Brennan Lee Mulligan, the Dungeon Master and creator of Dimension 20, is renowned for his dynamic and immersive storytelling that blends humor, improvisation, and intricate worldbuilding. Preparing for live shows like those at Madison Square Garden or the Hollywood Bowl, he balances physical and mental readiness, often engaging in rituals such as listening to intense music to set the tone and reviewing campaign notes on his laptop. Mulligan approaches live performances with an understanding that the atmosphere is more electric and interactive than studio recordings, adapting the pacing to accommodate audience reactions and fostering a vibrant connection with fans. His deep commitment to the craft and the community has helped Dimension 20 become a standout in the actual play and tabletop gaming scene.
The way I prepare for a live show is: I get my laptop computer. I open it up and I open up my campaign notes. I create a set of – [burps] Oh, chicken sandwich! – bullet points of plot-significant – stop laughing! I had a chicken sandwich and I burped a little bit! This is also part of how I prepare. I prepare by having my wonderful and beloved friends laugh at my completely normal behaviors. As I try to stay locked in and do my job, America.
I’ll have a large coffee with half-and-half, and then I will drink that. And then I’ll have another large coffee with half-and-half. I will hear the middle of someone’s funny anecdote, look up, go, “That sounds fun,” see if I can chime in. I can’t.
Back to the bullet points. I will look at my campaign on D&D Beyond. I’ll run over the stat blocks of the various monsters that need to be there. I’ll look at Slack. There’s a problem. Something has to change. Or there will be a tug-of-war: There’s a technical problem; there’s a possible artistic fix. A producer might offer something that will protect my time at the expense of some other technical aspect. And then I’ll go, “Guys, the show’s made up. It’s about gnomes. I’ll make the gnomes different.” And then everyone goes, “Oh my God, he can just make the gnomes different.” And then I make the gnomes different. And then that’s the problem solved.
Fun is overrated, and it’s important to stay strapped in. There is nothing that I take more seriously or more gravely than the enjoyment and frivolity of the audience. And that has to rest on a foundation of extremely stern, brick-by-brick foundation-building. Hey, anyone can say, “Oh, it’s a corn gremlin. What’s the armor class? What’s the hit dice? What’s the attack bonus?” And that is the math of fun. And that’s what I’m doing before the show.
How does Dimension 20 craft their unique pre-show rituals for live shows
Dimension 20 crafts their unique pre-show rituals for live shows through a blend of personal and group practices that help the cast get into the right mindset and maintain the show’s magic. Each member has their own quirky rituals-such as Ally Beardsley humorously preparing as if going to a deserted island-that contribute to a shared atmosphere of focus and fun. These rituals include listening to specific music playlists, warming up mentally and physically, and engaging in lighthearted activities to ease nerves before stepping on stage. The emphasis on these little rituals helps the cast connect with each other and the audience, ensuring their performances are both dynamic and immersive.
What specific rituals do the Dimension 20 crew do before live shows
Before live shows, the Dimension 20 crew engages in a variety of distinctive rituals tailored to each cast member’s preferences, blending physical, mental, and quirky personal practices. Some key rituals include:
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Pacing around while listening to new metal music to build energy and focus.
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Psych-up music sessions featuring artists like The Notorious B.I.G., The Alan Parsons Project’s “Sirius,” and grand compositions such as Carmina Burana to create a dramatic mental rhythm before stepping on stage.
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Physical warm-ups such as workouts or long walks to elevate heart rate and prepare the body for performance.
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Unique personal rituals like placing an old crab shell believed to contain the spirit of a deceased uncle on a small altar and applying black-pepper-scented lotion for grounding.
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Avoiding caffeine and seeking natural light early in the day, sometimes grinding coffee beans outdoors to soak up sunlight.
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Mental calmness techniques including listening to “Healing Tones,” a collection of tracks designed to evoke specific calming frequencies.
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Some cast members deliberately avoid over-preparation to prevent anxiety, instead opting for lighthearted activities like playing video games (e.g., Mario Kart) to relax before the show.
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Reviewing campaign notes and monster statistics on laptops, discussing technical and artistic adjustments with the production team to ensure smooth improvisation and storytelling flow.
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Prioritizing camaraderie by making time for one another regardless of the city they are in, fostering a supportive environment before going live.
These rituals combine to help the cast align body and mind, build excitement, and maintain a grounded presence that balances the absurdity and comedy of their performances.
