10062973StagecraftVR - A Virtual Reality Application for Teaching DramaClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKDrama is one of the most underserved but valuable courses on the school curriculum. Yet while the creative arts contribute nearly 6% of the UK's economy the number of students taking GCSE and A-level drama has declined by more than 30% in the last 15 years. It is often taught by non-specialists with limited facilities, particularly in disadvantaged communities. Many students are unable to engage, either through a lack of confidence, access to facilities or family or peer support. This project will develop and evaluate StagecraftVR, a first-of-a-kind teaching application using Virtual Reality for learning, rehearsing and performing drama. Schools will have immediate access to realistic environments, costumes, props and teaching materials. Students will create, customise and develop characters using avatars. Through a VR headset they can express themselves using speech, body language and facial expressions.