Pasts, Presents, and Futures of Digitally-Mediated Theatre
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sci
Abstract
In recent years, theatre-makers have experimented widely with how to record and distribute live performance through digital media and platforms. Since the return of in-person live performances, profound questions remain about the role, opportunities, business models and implications of digitally-mediated theatre, and how theatres do - or do not - produce digital 'content'. In partnership with the Traverse Theatre, this research will study how innovative contemporary practices for digitally-mediated theatre production can be applied to create unique, innovative, and compelling audience experiences. It aims to explore how digital theatre assets and content can be produced and distributed for online audiences while complementing live staged productions, enabling new forms of co-creation for theatre-makers and their audiences. These findings will help guide theatre-makers and performers across the cultural sector in navigating digital futures, building on learning and opportunities developed during the pandemic while looking forward to engaging with new digital innovations in AI, gaming, and immersive technologies.
The enforced closure of theatre venues and arts festivals during the pandemic led to widespread innovation and experimentation with digitally-mediated theatre: a work of live or recorded performance is mediated via another visual or technological medium to connect with remote audiences in real-time or asynchronously. Notably, much theatrical work took on new life and meanings as forms of recorded and on-demand content, situated on different digital platforms.
These developments and others (e.g. AI, Immersive technologies) pose some fundamental questions for theatre: How is the meaning, impact and accessibility of a piece of theatre transformed by the medium(s) through which it is staged, presented and recorded? How can live and recorded theatre be interwoven to create unique and valuable experiences for audiences? What implications does the growth in digital recording and distribution of performance as digital content have for those working in the performing arts? And what role does digitally-mediated theatre have to play in sustainable, contemporary business models for theatre production, particularly given the convergence of technologies in the production of performance, immersive, film, tv, and game and the skill sharing taking place across these domains?
In partnership with the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, this research will examine the recent past, present and futures of digitally-mediated performances by: 1) pursuing in-depth case studies of recent digitally-mediated performances and their value, for audiences and theatre-makers; 2) creatively engaging theatre-makers across Scotland in reflection of current and potential future applications of digitally-mediated performances; 3) working alongside, studying and contributing to the delivery of an innovative digitally-mediated programme at the Traverse Theatre.
This research will address key areas and themes surrounding the topic, such as:
1 -Exploring data-driven approaches to theatre-making, and the ways in which future creatives may work hand-in-hand with upcoming technological innovations.
2 -Evaluating the financial opportunities and threats that digital integration poses for theatrical institutions.
3 -Addressing how digital design may resolve key audience accessibility issues, including geographic isolation, inability to travel, lack of finances, or physical and/or mental disability.
4 -Examining digital design's potential as an aide for fighting climate change and reaching carbon neutrality.
The enforced closure of theatre venues and arts festivals during the pandemic led to widespread innovation and experimentation with digitally-mediated theatre: a work of live or recorded performance is mediated via another visual or technological medium to connect with remote audiences in real-time or asynchronously. Notably, much theatrical work took on new life and meanings as forms of recorded and on-demand content, situated on different digital platforms.
These developments and others (e.g. AI, Immersive technologies) pose some fundamental questions for theatre: How is the meaning, impact and accessibility of a piece of theatre transformed by the medium(s) through which it is staged, presented and recorded? How can live and recorded theatre be interwoven to create unique and valuable experiences for audiences? What implications does the growth in digital recording and distribution of performance as digital content have for those working in the performing arts? And what role does digitally-mediated theatre have to play in sustainable, contemporary business models for theatre production, particularly given the convergence of technologies in the production of performance, immersive, film, tv, and game and the skill sharing taking place across these domains?
In partnership with the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, this research will examine the recent past, present and futures of digitally-mediated performances by: 1) pursuing in-depth case studies of recent digitally-mediated performances and their value, for audiences and theatre-makers; 2) creatively engaging theatre-makers across Scotland in reflection of current and potential future applications of digitally-mediated performances; 3) working alongside, studying and contributing to the delivery of an innovative digitally-mediated programme at the Traverse Theatre.
This research will address key areas and themes surrounding the topic, such as:
1 -Exploring data-driven approaches to theatre-making, and the ways in which future creatives may work hand-in-hand with upcoming technological innovations.
2 -Evaluating the financial opportunities and threats that digital integration poses for theatrical institutions.
3 -Addressing how digital design may resolve key audience accessibility issues, including geographic isolation, inability to travel, lack of finances, or physical and/or mental disability.
4 -Examining digital design's potential as an aide for fighting climate change and reaching carbon neutrality.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Christopher Elsden (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Emma Dorfman (Student) |