So let’s say you’re on public transit, eavesdropping on a group’s conversation. (No shame—we do it, too.)

You ever wonder what it would be like to live that life? To dip into their daily drama? Now’s your chance!

Join us for Overheard on a Train, and see what it’s like to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.

Except, you’re not walking—because you’re on a train.

And also—it’s longer than a mile.

And also—you wear your own shoes.

ABOUT

We are all wrapped up for 2024! But stay tuned for 2025 dates by signing up for our email newsletter at the bottom of this page and follow us on Instagram @cheerfulsecrets to see what’s next!

Overheard on a Train is an interactive experience that takes place on board Austin’s metrorail. You and three friends will sign up as a group, and receive a script when you board the train. During the journey, your foursome will read the script to each other, out loud. (It’s a “table read,” and you are the actors!) Your collective story will unfold as you turn each page and deliver each line. Choose which storyline your foursome likes best, such as THE BAND, or THE BACHELORETTE PARTY. More details in the FAQs below.

Including check-in time, the full experience lasts two hours.

Your hostess, The Conductor, will be there to guide you.

Wondering if this event is for you?

THEN, YEP—THIS EVENT IS FOR YOU!

FAQ

  • You and your friends will be given a script, which has lines for you to read out loud, among your group. (It’s a “table read,” and you are the actors!) You won’t know the plot in advance; instead, at each train stop, you’ll begin the next scene. Act I unfolds during the outbound journey, from Downtown to Crestview—and Act II occurs during the inbound journey, from Crestview back to Downtown. There’s an intermission at the Crestview station, where all attendees will exit the train and enjoy a free drink at Black Star Co-op. It’s gonna be a fun time.

  • Including check-in time, the event lasts 2 hours. Don’t be late for check-in! You need to arrive no later than the time indicated on your ticket (either 1:00pm or 3:30pm.)

  • Fun! This is a light-hearted look at someone else’s drama, and it’s a chance to play pretend. The stakes are low, and the chuckles are plentiful.

  • You’re purchasing tickets for a batch of 4 people, which includes each person’s $7 train fare and a complimentary drink during intermission for each person. Give your drink order to The Conductor when you check-in: mimosa, blonde ale, IPA, lager, or soda, courtesy of Black Star Co-op.

  • When buying your tickets, you choose which script you’ll read. In THE BAND, 4 bandmates are on their way to a gig. In THE BACHELORETTE PARTY, 4 Austinites are on their way to a friend’s bachelorette party. And we’ll be offering new additional scripts in 2025! Each script offers a brief description of the characters, and your group will decide which role each person wants to play. Any person can read any role.

  • The Downtown Station, located at 4th and Neches (adjacent to The Hilton.) We will be outside, either under the roof of the platform or near the stone wall shown in the first photo above. Look for The Conductor, who will be your guide to the experience.

  • Nope and nope. Tickets are only sold in batches of 4, because this event is designed as an experience for 4 people who already know each other. You’ll have more fun and be more comfortable that way. And we’re all about fun and comfort.

  • Sure, but only in multiples of 4.

  • The subject matter and language are PG-13. There are curse words like “shit” and “dick,” but no F-bombs, no violence, and no drugs. THE BACHELORETTE PARTY storyline includes references to sex and alcohol use that may be inappropriate for minors, so if you are bringing teenagers, THE BAND is a better choice. Bottom line: the producers will not enforce any minimum age for attendees, so please use your own judgment.

  • It’s totally your call. You’ll be sitting with your friends, and it’ll be up to you how deeply you want to dive into character. There are minimal stage directions, like “A gives B a fist bump,” but everything in the script can happen from your seat.

  • Probably only your friends. There may be other commuters present during the event, because the train is a public space. But they’ve got their own lives to live, and their own phones to be buried in. And really, how interesting are you anyway?

  • You do you! Costumes aren’t necessary, but feel free to dress to your storyline—if you think it’s fun, we think it’s fun!

  • The event will happen, no matter the weather. The train stations have roofs to keep out the rain, and all but a few steps during intermission will be covered. So if it looks rainy, bring an umbrella—but the show must go on!

  • Sure! The scripts will not change, but you could sign up for THE BAND during one outing and THE BACHELORETTE PARTY during another. And stay tuned, because there will be even more storylines to choose from when Overheard on a Train returns at a later date, as described below.

  • Once our April-May 2024 events wrap up, Overheard on a Train will begin preparing for its triumphant return! Cheerful Secrets intends to bring back the experience in the spring of 2025, with even more storylines to choose from!

  • The parking garage closest to our check-in area at Downtown Station is the 5th Street Garage for the Austin Convention Center, located at 601 East 5th Street (credit card only.) But of course, downtown offers many public parking options. For details about accessibility and the train, please consult the CapMetro site here: https://www.capmetro.org/access

  • Three cheers for public transportation! Learn more here: https://www.capmetro.org/rail