The Research Group Virtual Theatre works within two research domains:

  1. Interfacing technology in creative (theatre-) making processes.
  2. Mixing virtual – and physical space (in a theatrical context).

The first domain has been the main focus of the research group from 2007 till now, partly resulting in the development of the Performance Engine. Since the beginning of 2009 the Research group has started developing LABs and Projects in order to research the domain of Mixed reality and its potential for a theatrical and performative context. More theoretical information about this second domain will be added to this website in the first half of 2010 as a result of the Mixed reality project and two Performance Lectures.

In this section of the website however you can read more about the general context of the research concerning the first domain and the three research questions that have been formulated relating to this topic. Also have a look at the Letters section which contains exchanges of ideas between a maker and theorist within the context of the research.

Introduction

The research group Virtual Theatre has formulated its research into interfacing technology in creative (theatre-) making processes, under the following title:

Interfacing interactive technology in the Performing Arts.

‘An introduction to the study on the adaptive and active qualities of electronic and digital technology in the rehearsal phases of the making process in the Performing Arts.’

For interactive digital technology to be able to contribute to the making process of the Performing Arts in a constructive way it becomes apparent that the nature of the technology used needs to be attuned to the nature of a particular kind of rehearsal phase as explained in this text. Especially when the technology is complex like interactive real-time 3DCG1, the technology needs to have attributes that are flexible in its connectivity and the interfaces are designed to be ready for improvisational creation processes. In this study several hypothetical properties are already defined for these technological attributes.

An investigation of existing technologies is currently being done and plans are made for setting up practise based research through case-studies and projects. Exploratory small scale projects have been set up and executed to explore and investigate possibilities. The goal of this study is to get a better understanding of the interplay between theatre making processes and complex interactive digital technology. The study aims to work towards a blueprint, through several prototypes, that could serve as an example on how to approach the architecture of complex interactive digital technological systems when being designed for usage in making processes in the Performing Arts, especially for the rehearsal phase.