15.2 Current trends and emerging forms in 21st-century theatre

The 21st century has brought exciting changes to theatre. New forms like immersive, site-specific, and digital theatre are pushing boundaries and engaging audiences in fresh ways. These trends reflect our tech-savvy, interactive world and blur the lines between performers and viewers.

Theatre is also tackling big issues through verbatim and documentary styles. By using real stories and multimedia, it's becoming a powerful tool for social change. Meanwhile, devised and postdramatic approaches are shaking up traditional structures, creating unique theatrical experiences.

21st-Century Theatre Trends

Immersive and Site-Specific Theatre

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• Immersive theatre blurs the boundaries between performers and audience, often taking place in non-traditional spaces (warehouses, abandoned buildings) and encouraging audience participation and interaction
• Site-specific theatre is designed for and performed in a specific location, incorporating the unique features and history of the space into the performance
  • Example: A play about the history of a city performed in various locations throughout the city, such as historical landmarks or public parks

Verbatim and Documentary Theatre

• Verbatim theatre uses real-life interviews, transcripts, and documents as the basis for the script, often exploring contemporary social and political issues
  • Example: A play about the experiences of refugees, based on interviews with refugees and aid workers
• Documentary theatre presents factual information and real events, often using multimedia elements (projections, video footage) to enhance the storytelling
  • Example: A play about a historical event, incorporating archival footage and documents

Digital and Interdisciplinary Theatre

• Digital theatre incorporates technology such as video projection, live streaming, and virtual reality to enhance or transform the theatrical experience
  • Example: A play that uses live video feeds to show the perspective of different characters simultaneously
• Interdisciplinary theatre integrates elements from other art forms, such as dance, music, visual art, and multimedia, into the theatrical performance
  • Example: A play that incorporates live music and dance to tell a story

Devised and Postdramatic Theatre

• Devised theatre is collaboratively created by an ensemble, often without a pre-existing script, through improvisation and experimentation
  • Example: A play created through workshops and improvisations with a group of actors
• Postdramatic theatre departs from traditional dramatic structures and conventions, emphasizing visual, sonic, and physical elements over narrative and character
  • Example: A performance that uses abstract movement and sound to convey a theme or emotion

Innovation in Contemporary Theatre

Technological Advancements and Audience Engagement

• Advancements in technology provide new tools and platforms for theatrical expression, enabling artists to create immersive and interactive experiences
  • Example: The use of augmented reality to create a multi-sensory theatre experience
• Changing audience demographics and expectations, particularly among younger generations, demand more engaging and participatory forms of theatre
  • Example: The rise of "escape room" style theatre experiences that require audience problem-solving and interaction

Influence of Other Art Forms and Media

• The influence of other art forms and media, such as film, television, and video games, inspires theatre artists to incorporate new techniques and aesthetics
  • Example: The use of cinematic techniques, such as close-ups and montages, in theatre productions
• Increased globalization and cultural exchange expose theatre artists to diverse traditions and practices, fostering cross-cultural collaboration and experimentation
  • Example: A theatre production that combines elements of Japanese Noh theatre with Western avant-garde techniques

Economic and Collaborative Pressures

• Economic pressures and funding challenges encourage theatre companies to explore cost-effective and innovative ways to create and present work
  • Example: The use of found spaces and minimalist sets to reduce production costs
• The rise of interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches to theatre-making enables artists from different backgrounds to combine their expertise and create hybrid forms
  • Example: A theatre company that works with scientists to create plays about cutting-edge research

Engagement and Social Relevance

Addressing Contemporary Issues

• Immersive and participatory theatre can create powerful, personal experiences that deepen audience engagement and understanding of the subject matter
  • Example: A site-specific play about homelessness that takes place in a shelter and involves audience interaction with the characters
• Verbatim theatre can give voice to marginalized perspectives and shed light on complex social issues, promoting empathy and critical reflection
  • Example: A play based on interviews with victims of domestic violence, aimed at raising awareness and promoting social change

Community Engagement and Empowerment

• Site-specific theatre can illuminate the hidden histories and contemporary realities of particular places, fostering community engagement and dialogue
  • Example: A play about the gentrification of a neighborhood, performed in various locations within that community
• Devised and collaborative theatre can empower communities to tell their own stories and explore issues that matter to them
  • Example: A theatre project that works with a specific community (LGBTQ+ youth, immigrants) to create a play based on their experiences

Accessibility and Social Change

• Digital theatre can reach new and diverse audiences, transcending geographical and economic barriers to access
  • Example: A live-streamed theatre production that can be viewed by audiences around the world
• Experimental forms can push the boundaries of what is possible in theatre, sparking public discourse and inspiring social change
  • Example: A postdramatic performance that challenges audience perceptions of race and identity

Diversification of Theatrical Forms

Challenges in Developing New Forms

• Developing new forms requires significant investment in research, experimentation, and training, which can be challenging for theatre companies with limited resources
  • Example: A small theatre company struggling to fund the development of an immersive, technology-driven production
• Audiences accustomed to traditional theatre may be resistant to experimental forms, requiring effective marketing and audience development strategies
  • Example: A theatre company using targeted outreach and educational programs to build an audience for postdramatic work

Evaluating Success and Building Careers

• Evaluating the success and impact of new theatrical forms can be difficult, as conventional metrics may not adequately capture their value
  • Example: A site-specific, community-based project that has a profound impact on participants but limited ticket sales
• The diversification of forms can make it harder for theatre artists to build sustainable careers, as they may need to adapt to constantly evolving practices
  • Example: An actor who must continually learn new skills (puppetry, aerial acrobatics) to stay competitive in the job market

Opportunities for Innovation and Revitalization

• The proliferation of new forms creates opportunities for theatre artists to develop unique skills and carve out distinctive niches in the field
  • Example: A designer who specializes in creating immersive, multi-sensory environments for theatre productions
• The embrace of diversity and experimentation can attract new audiences and funders to theatre, revitalizing the art form and securing its future relevance
  • Example: A foundation that prioritizes funding for innovative, socially-engaged theatre projects