VR immersive theatre development and production

This project has given me an incredible opportunity to experiment with new and developing technologies as a medium for storytelling, and to explore ways to create human connectivity through the use of technology in a live theatre setting.

Initially I wanted to reveal to an audience how motion capture technology works; with a live performer puppeteering a digital character, much like in puppet theatre a puppeteer remains visible to an audience throughout the performance. But when I started playing with VR in tandem with motion capture, I was taken aback by the experience... Some forms of VR can tap into your left brain’s freedom to dream that anything’s possible, where you are immersed in an environment you know isn’t real, but you engage with and respond to it regardless. Being able to also interact with the digital puppet beside me (an actor in a motion capture suit) in a tangible and tactile way was magic, and transcended my beliefs and expectations of VR. In that moment I knew this was special and I wanted other people to experience it.

Only two other productions that I know of across the world are developing similar concepts, backed by funding far surpassing our modest student production budget. As we are using new and emerging technologies to develop this work, we are in need of additional funding to bring the full vision and possibilities to life.

An initial proof of concept has been developed and will be presented this month at BATS Theatre in Wellington as my Masters in Creative Practice final (thesis) presentation. The project has gained much interest and I want to take it beyond this initial proof of concept. My team is out of resources to go any further so we are fundraising to cover our current out of pocket costs and future development of the project.