Exploring The Virtual Realm: New Technologies in Live Performance

With the advent of Virtual, Mixed and Augmented Reality technologies, “immersive performance” has become somewhat of a buzz word in recent years. If you are interested in exploring the use of digital technology in theatre, where do you start?

Led by Mark Ashmore, founder of Future Artists’ Immersive Arts Labs and PHD Researcher in Immersive Arts at Liverpool John Moores University, this talk will give you an overview of what practitioners are doing right now and explore how you can integrate these new technologies in your productions.

In the first half, Mark will explore what contemporary theatre practitioners are doing in this field and the impact it can have on audience’s experience, drawing on examples of people pushing the boundaries of what is possible with technology.

Based on learning from the Immersive Labs, the second half will look at more practical aspects and explore what you can do if you wish to experiment with VR, AR in your work. What are the options available? How might the link between games, puzzles, drama and technology help you think about the production? What can you do when you work with micro or mid level budget?