sIn this episode of Directors Dungeon, we’re joined by Sarah Davis Reynolds, a performer, designer, and co-creator of The Twenty-Sided Tavern—an interactive live D&D-inspired stage show that’s as much about audience collaboration as it is about rolling dice.
What started as a homebrew theater-meets-tabletop experiment has evolved into a fully licensed Dungeons & Dragons production backed by Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro.
Sarah takes us through the creative origins of The Twenty-Sided Tavern, a project born out of the overlap between two communities she knew well: theater artists and lifelong tabletop players. Along with collaborator David Andrew Laws, Sarah noticed a missing link in the world of actual play: something that didn’t just put a game on stage, but actively brought the audience into the fold—making every seat in the house part of the party. Their early shows leaned into chaos, homebrew mechanics, and crowd-sourced storytelling. It was only later that Hasbro took notice, eventually partnering to bring the show into the D&D canon—with all the ampersands and brand approvals that come with it.
We talk about what it’s like to negotiate that line between artistic vision and official lore, and how the show balances structured mechanics with the unpredictability of 500 audience members—many of whom are, as Sarah lovingly calls them, “chaos gremlins.” She shares insights on building game systems for live performance, working within (and around) corporate IP, and the joy of watching a room full of strangers become adventurers together.
But the conversation moves beyond the show itself. Sarah opens up about what roleplaying games have meant to her personally: how they’ve helped her make sense of the world, maintain hope, and build lasting communities. She speaks about conventions as both gateways for new players and gathering grounds for old friends, and about the power of games to offer not just escape—but connection. One story involves midnight D&D in the main hall at PAX Unplugged. Another includes naming a mountain range the “Fieri Mountains” with frosted tips. It’s exactly what you want from a D&D table—and a reminder that laughter and storytelling are often the same thing.
We also get a sneak peek at her next project, The Mechanics Guild, an actual play podcast where the game system changes every five episodes, exploring how different mechanics shape character arcs and storytelling. It’s thoughtful, experimental, and absolutely worth keeping an eye on.
This is a conversation about building worlds—on stage, on paper, and among people. It’s about finding joy in the weird corners of collaborative play. And it’s about the very real work it takes to make something feel like magic.
Sarah Davis Reynolds – LinkedIn – Co‑Creator & Game Designer of Dungeons & Dragons: The Twenty‑Sided Tavern
Cast & Creative – The Twenty‑Sided Tavern – Official show page featuring Sarah’s role as Tavern Keeper/designer
“A Day in the Life” Video – YouTube – Behind-the-scenes glimpse of Sarah at work on the Tavern show
Sarah on Instagram – @sarah.d.reynolds – Updates from rehearsals, performances, and life as a Tavern Keeper
Dungeons & Dragons: The Twenty‑Sided Tavern – Wikipedia – Official licensed stage show, with Sarah credited as co‑creator
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