THEATRE AND TECHNOLOGY

A future fantastic?

Authors

  • Shane Pike Queensland University of Technology, QUT, Brisbane, Austrália, shane.pike@qut.edu.au

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5216/ac.v9i1.78046

Abstract

This article discusses the place of technology in theatre, as a potential tool to address some of the questionable ecological practices inherent in traditional theatre making.  With a focus on augmented and/or virtual reality (AR/VR), the article posits some potentials and pitfalls of embracing technologies as integral components of the narrative development and presentation of performance. The tensions between art and technology in their incorporation into creative theatrical practices are discussed, particularly in light of the tendency for technology to favor pre-recording in contrast to the necessary liveness of the theatrical, dramatic event.

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Author Biography

Shane Pike, Queensland University of Technology, QUT, Brisbane, Austrália, shane.pike@qut.edu.au

Dr Pike is a Senior Lecturer in Drama at the Queensland University of Technology. He is also a practicing writer/director with an emerging authority in digital dramaturgy and designing augmented reality experiences for live performance. A graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) with a PhD in Directing and Actor Training, for which he received an Edith Cowan University Research Excellence Award. Several of his dramatic works have been published by Playlab, including the play "Nineteen", which received competitive funding from Arts Queensland for its world premiere at Brisbane Powerhouse. Recent works in collaboration with the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, designed as arts-based therapeutic interventions for young people with eating disorders, have been supported with grants from the IHBI Synergy scheme and the Don Batchelor Award for innovation in performance practice. Shane collaborates regularly with the Brazilian company Taanteatro Companhia and is one of only two artists in Australia trained in their Theatre of Tensions method for performance making. This informs both his practice and teaching across the Drama, Acting and BCI disciplines at QUT. In addition to his PhD in Performing Arts from WAAPA, Shane also has a Bachelor of Arts (First Class Drama Honours), a Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, all from the Australian National University, and a Bachelor of Contemporary Arts (Theatre) from the University of Tasmania.

References

ARFARA, Katia; MANCEWICZ, Aneta, and REMSHARDT, Ralf. Intermedial Performance and Politics in the Public Sphere (Avant-Gardes in Performance). 1st edition. New York: Springer International Publishing, 2018.

ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND. (2022). Accessed 20 April, 2023. https://pointone-epos.co.uk/how-to-make-theatres-more-sustainable/

BROWN, John. What is Theatre? 1st edition. Abingdon: Routledge, 2013.

BUCHER, John K. Storytelling for virtual reality: methods and principles for crafting immersive narratives. New York and London: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group, 2018.

CHAPPLE, Freda, and KATTENBELT, Chiel. Intermediality in theatre and performance (Themes in theatre. Collective approaches to theatre and performance 2) 2nd ed. Amsterdam: Rodopi, 2006.

MEYER, Bohse, and SOFIE, Rebekka. The expansion of scenography in virtual reality theatre: investigating the potential of double scenography in Makropol's Anthropia. Theatre and performance design 6 (4):321-340. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23322551.2020.1854929

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Published

2023-12-10

How to Cite

PIKE, S. THEATRE AND TECHNOLOGY: A future fantastic?. Art on Stage Journal, Goiânia, v. 9, n. 1, p. 195–208, 2023. DOI: 10.5216/ac.v9i1.78046. Disponível em: https://revistas.ufg.br/artce/article/view/78046. Acesso em: 19 dec. 2024.

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2023): Ecoperformance and Ecopolitics of the Scene

Section

Thematic Dossier

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Shane Pike

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