“ Am I really playing with Neil Patrick Harris?”
In keeping with the theme of Box Two, Neil Patrick Harris is back for his second appearance on our podcast. And not only that, he also brought a friend. Jonathan Bayme, CEO of theory11, is a longtime collaborator and Neil’s bestie. They first met at a magic show Jonathan created for the Nomad Hotel in New York. Neil and Jonathan quickly bonded over a shared passion for elevating the art of magic, a deep appreciation for fine craftsmanship, and creating experiences full of wonder and joy.
Jonathan created his company, theory11, with the goal of crafting magic tricks and playing cards that not only worked flawlessly, but were also beautiful to look at. Jonathan worked with Neil to produce Box Two, which was created with a very similar aesthetic and vibe. They very candidly explained the thought process behind design decisions such as relying on an online chat interface, and how they achieved certain magical effects. Box Two is gorgeous, with hefty props that felt good and looked good. I especially enjoyed hearing about the playtesting and mechanical process behind producing such a complicated boxed game.
Jonathan also shares his secret to networking. Whether it’s about tracking down JJ Abrams, or writing weekly emails at twelve years old to David Copperfield’s longtime executive producer, I really enjoyed his stories of perseverance when it comes to making connections. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to check out our first interview with NPH in Season 2, Episode 1.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We are immensely grateful to our sponsors this season: Weldwood Marketing, Buzzshot, COGS, and Hive: The Race to Save Time Puzzle Hunt. We truly appreciate your support of our mission to promote and improve the immersive gaming community.
Weldwood Marketing
Maximize your online presence with Weldwood Marketing. It’s a one-stop shop for digital marketing—specializing in web design, SEO, online ads, and best business practices. They can even manage all your integrations so you can track the customer journey from clicking on an ad to booking your game. Let Weldwood help unlock more money for your business.
Special offer exclusively for REPOD listeners:
Weldwood rarely offers discounts, but they did for us. REPOD listeners get 15% off Marketing Services for the first 3 months, PLUS $750 off escape room websites. Schedule your Discovery Call and mention REPOD in the notes! Visit weldwoodmarketing.com/repod to learn more about this exclusive offer.
Buzzshot
Buzzshot is Escape Room Software, Powering Business Growth, Player Marketing, and improving the Customer Experience. They offer an assortment of pre and post game features including robust waiver management, branded team photos, and streamlined review management for Yelp, TripAdvisor, Google Reviews, and Morty. Buzzshot now has integration with the other REPOD sponsors: Morty and COGS.
Special Offer for REPOD Listeners:
REPOD listeners get an extended 21-day free trial plus 20% off your first 3 months, with no set-up fees or hidden charges. Visit buzzshot.com/repod to learn more about this exclusive offer.
COGS
COGS by Clockwork Dog is an easy to use software/ hardware platform for running interactive events, including escape rooms, and other immersive experiences. They have plug & play hardware that seamlessly integrates with their software so you can create a show with lighting and sound cues without having to write a single line of code. Map all kinds of inputs to outputs by building up simple logic steps which determine what you want to happen and when.
Special Offer for REPOD Listeners:
REPOD listeners can get the COGS Starter Set for only $130 + free shipping to the USA. This bundle is usually valued at $257. You can learn more and purchase your Starter Set at cogs.show. Use code REPOD at checkout.
Hive: The Race to Save Time Puzzle Hunt
Based on the new Madders of Time series by bestselling author DL Orton.
- Registration opens May 1, 2025
- Hive: The Race to Save Time runs from May 16-26, 2025
- Over $1,000 in Prizes, winners determined by sweepstakes.
- Purchase of the book or free alternative method of entry registration is required to participate, but the e-book will be available for just 99 cents while the hunt is running.
- Visit Hive: The Race to Save Time website for more details.
Topics Discussed in this Episode
- 00:13 Sponsor Break: Cogs By Clockwork Dog, Interactive Show Controls
- 05:08 How Neil and Jonathan Met
- 12:29 What Neil And Jonathan Look for in a Magic Performance
- 18:12 Sponsor Break: Weldwood Digital Marketing Agency
- 20:37 Creation of the Theory 11 Playing Cards
- 29:37 Sponsor Break: Buzzshot, Escape Room Marketing Software
- 32:06 Creating Box Two
- 45:48 Sponsor Break: Hive: The Race to Save Time
- 48:04 Neil’s Natural Curiosity
- 56:11 Sponsor Break: RECON & PG’s Playhouse
- 57:18 The Possibility of Box Three
- 01:04:11 Jonathan’s E-mail Networking Technique
- 01:17:15 Neil’s Capital One Murder Mystery
- 01:21:23 What Comes Next
- 01:27:40 Credits
- 01:30:28 Bonus Story
Leave us a voicemail
Got a question or thought for the podcast? You can submit a voice recording by calling the Room Escape Artist not-so-hotline that always goes straight to voicemail (551-227-7273).
Resources Mentioned in this Episode
- Theory 11 Website
- Box One REA Review
- Box Two REA Review
- REPOD S2E1: The Curious Mind of Neil Patrick Harris, Creator of Box One
- Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
- The Magician (previously at the Nomad Hotel)
- In and Of Itself show
- Boxaroo Escape Room, Boston, MA
- Phantom Peak, London, UK
- Escape Hour, Austin, TX
About Neil Patrick Harris
Instagram @NPH
Twitter @actuallyNPH
Neil Patrick Harris is an American actor, singer, writer, producer, and television host. He previously served as the president of the board of directors of Hollywood’s Magic Castle, from 2011 to 2014. He is also the creator of several box puzzle games including Amazed, Box One, and Box Two.
About Jonathan Bayme
theory11 is the producer of premium, collectible playing cards, with recent collaborations with The Beatles, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Marvel, OBEY, Basquiat, Keith Haring, Lord of the Rings, Stranger Things, and lots more. More recently, theory11 has expanded into the world of premium puzzles, board games, and more!
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