The Power of Performance

Lighting a stage with its own applause.

One of the more recent and ongoing projects taken on by the Reeds of the Dell is a partnership between the bardic and artificer cohorts to create a theatre unlike any other on the continent. Though already known for their theatrical performances, the Reeds wanted to add something new. By combining new mechanical advancements with a bit of bardic magic, they hoped to, and have succeeded in, capturing the laughter, applause, and tears of the audience to power a magnificent array of enchanted lights surrounding a raised stage. 
Arcane researchers found that the energy produced by an audience reacting to a hysterical comedienne or a heart wrenching duet could be redirected, and rather than simply fading into the air that reaction could be used in place of certain spell components. Some illusions and enchantments could now be built into the space itself and no longer require constant tending by veteran magic users, and simple incantations could be multiplied many times over without needing to be constantly re-cast. This allowed something as simple as a light cantrip to be cast up to fifty times and maintained for several hours. Sprays of flashing colored light could be sent into the air above the stage without the need for dangerous explosives or a dozen wizards. This new theatre would be their finest achievement to date. 
While the concept was a masterstroke, the guild ran almost immediately into a legal and ethical challenge. Some were appalled that that their emotional expression could be harvested and used as energy. Careful wording on performance tickets, however, allowing for the use of applause as an energy source, and the assertion by outside parties that there was no "harvesting of life force" or any sort of necromantic intent eased most of the opposing minds. Reports made clear that it was only the outward expression and sound of the reaction - cheers or sobs for example - that was used to maintain the spells, and that no audience member was being forced to react a certain way. A few suspicious citizens decried the reports and claimed they would never set foot in the theatre. The Reeds said, in turn, that this was fine, because most of their shows had sold out of all available tickets already.