Project Title:  "The Star of Destiny" Theatre 

Museum/ Institution:  The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, Austin, TX

Museum Category:  Immersives/Theatre 

Program Created:  2001

Program URL (if available):  N/A 

Project Image(s) and/or Video



Scene from "The Star of Destiny" story theatre.  (The Spirit of Texas Theatre at the Texas State History Museum)

Media Source(s)/Credit(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHpDmbzwmuo  (watch short segment of presentation beginning at 1:22 (ends 1:42).

http://www.thestoryoftexas.com/showtimes/special/star_of_destiny.html (picture credit and information)

Mouw, M., & Spock, D. (2007). Immersive Media: Creating Theatrical Storytelling Experiences. In H. Din & P. Hecht (Eds.), The digital museum: A think guide (pp. 51-52). Washington, D.C.: American Association of Museums. (information credit)

Program Description: (150-250 words)

This historical retelling of Texas history and the contributions of its many people combines the narration of Sam Houston, the first video-projected President of the Republic of Texas, with a slew of special effects that heighten audience attention. Throughout Houston's narration, video and photographic images light up three separate screens as viewers physically experience major events "theme-park" style.  For instance, audiences are exposed to similar weather conditions of the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 as lightning and thunder, wind and rain, assault them from above.  When the most famous Texan oil well (Spindletop) erupts, audiences experience the ground-shaking event as motors vibrate within their seats, heightening the tension of the anticipated explosion from a realistic on-stage derrick.  The same trick occurs when Saturn V lifts off from the Johnson Space Center. Of particular note is an air jet cleverly situated in the top of the visitor's comfortable chair that sends a mighty puff up the back of one's neck when the subject of rattlesnakes comes up. The perfect timing of script and special effects definitely keeps non-Texans awake during what might be considered a long, boring history lecture.

Firsthand or secondary review/critique: (150-250 words) 

Having seen "The Star of Texas" several times with out-of-state friends and family, I never tire of watching their reaction to the various physical sensations they experience throughout the program.  The timing, variety, and spacing of these "sensational microbursts" is well-calculated to keep the attention of tourists from wandering.  At best, any attempt to provide a concise overview of Texas history is overly ambitious, considering the variety and scope of events and people, but the producers of "Star of Destiny" have effectively woven entertainment into content. Especially impressive is the fact that each special effect has worked 100% of the time during my visits!  

Technologies incorporated:  Video projection, mechanized seats (vibrating motor and air jets on back of seat), wind machine, misting machine (rain), smoke, special effects

Internally or externally produced:  BRC Imagination Arts

Entry Contributor and Date:  Margot Millard  2/6/11

Related projects:  "Lincoln's Eyes" and "Ghosts of the Library" (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL)