15.3 The impact of digital technology on theatre production and distribution

Digital tech is revolutionizing theatre production and distribution. From 3D modeling and projection mapping to VR experiences and live streaming, new tools are expanding creative possibilities and audience reach. These innovations are changing how theatre is made and experienced.

But the digital shift also brings challenges. While online platforms can make theatre more accessible, they risk losing the magic of live performance. Balancing tech's potential with theatre's essence is key as the art form evolves in the digital age.

Digital Transformation of Theatre

Digital Tools Enhancing Production

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• Digital tools and platforms streamline and enhance various aspects of theatre production
  • Set design software (AutoCAD, SketchUp) enables precise 3D modeling and visualization
  • Digital lighting consoles allow for complex, dynamic lighting sequences
  • Digital audio workstations (Pro Tools, Ableton Live) facilitate intricate sound design and mixing
  • Projection mapping and video integration create immersive, multimedia environments on stage
• Virtual and augmented reality technologies enable new forms of immersive and interactive theatre experiences
  • VR headsets can transport audiences into fully realized virtual worlds (The Under Presents)
  • AR overlays can augment physical sets with digital elements, blurring the line between real and virtual (The Seven Deadly Sins)
  • Motion capture and real-time rendering allow for live, interactive digital characters on stage (The Tempest)

Digital Distribution and Collaboration

• Online platforms and streaming services provide new channels for distributing theatrical content
  • Theatre productions can be live-streamed or made available on-demand (National Theatre at Home)
  • Streaming enables productions to reach wider, more diverse audiences beyond geographical constraints
  • Digital distribution can extend the lifespan and revenue potential of productions post-run
• Digital technology facilitates remote collaboration and enables theatre artists to work together across geographical boundaries
  • Cloud-based platforms (Zoom, Google Drive) allow for virtual rehearsals, production meetings, and design collaboration
  • Remote collaboration tools enable international co-productions and partnerships
  • Digital communication streamlines logistics and reduces travel costs for creative teams
• The integration of digital technology is changing traditional workflows and roles within theatre production
  • Theatre professionals need to adapt and acquire new digital skills (coding, 3D modeling, video editing)
  • New roles emerge at the intersection of theatre and technology (VR designer, projection mapper, digital dramaturg)
  • Collaborative workflows shift to accommodate remote work and asynchronous contributions

Benefits vs Drawbacks of Digital Theatre

Creative Possibilities and Efficiency

• Digital technology can enhance the creative possibilities and visual spectacle of theatre productions
  • Projection mapping enables dynamic, transformative scenery (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time)
  • Motion capture and CGI allow for fantastical characters and environments (King Kong on Broadway)
  • Generative algorithms can create unique, data-driven visuals for each performance (The Great Tragedies)
• The use of digital tools can improve efficiency and reduce costs in certain areas of production
  • 3D printing can rapidly prototype and fabricate complex set pieces and props
  • Digital pre-visualization reduces the need for physical mock-ups and iterations
  • Automated rigging and scenic transitions streamline technical operations
  • Digital archives and asset management systems facilitate the reuse and repurposing of production elements

Audience Engagement and Technical Challenges

• Digital platforms can help theatre companies expand their audience reach and engage with new demographics
  • Social media and online marketing enable targeted outreach to younger, tech-savvy audiences
  • Interactive digital content (behind-the-scenes videos, virtual tours) can deepen audience engagement
  • Online communities and fan forums foster ongoing dialogue and loyalty beyond the performance
• However, the reliance on digital technology can also create new technical challenges and vulnerabilities
  • System failures, software glitches, and network outages can disrupt performances
  • Cyber attacks and data breaches pose security risks for digital assets and audience information
  • Rapid technological obsolescence requires ongoing investment and updating of digital infrastructure
• The integration of digital elements can sometimes detract from the immediacy and authenticity of live performance
  • Over-reliance on technology can create a barrier between performers and audiences
  • Digital spectacle may overshadow the human connection and emotional resonance of theatre
  • Technical mediation can disrupt the shared, communal experience of live performance
• There are concerns that the increasing use of digital technology could lead to a deskilling of certain theatre professions
  • Automation and digital tools may replace traditional manual skills and craftsmanship
  • Overemphasis on digital proficiency could undervalue embodied knowledge and physical technique
  • The ease of digital replication could devalue the uniqueness and artisanal quality of handmade elements

Expanding Reach of Digital Theatre

Accessibility and Inclusivity

• Online streaming and digital distribution platforms make theatre productions accessible to audiences who may face barriers to attending live performances
  • Geographical barriers: viewers can access productions from anywhere with an internet connection
  • Financial barriers: digital tickets are often more affordable than in-person tickets
  • Physical barriers: streaming enables participation for individuals with mobility limitations or health concerns
• Digital technology can facilitate the creation of multi-lingual productions and enhance accessibility features
  • Subtitles and closed captioning can be easily integrated into digital video
  • Audio descriptions can be provided for visually impaired audiences
  • Virtual reality experiences can be designed with accessibility considerations in mind (haptic feedback, spatial audio)
• Virtual and augmented reality technologies enable new forms of audience participation and interaction
  • VR experiences can offer choose-your-own-adventure narratives and branching storylines (The Horrifically Real Virtuality)
  • AR apps can allow audiences to explore and interact with digital content beyond the stage (Dear Evan Hansen)
  • Interactive digital platforms can facilitate real-time audience feedback and co-creation (Twitch plays: Artificial)

Digital Divide and Economic Viability

• However, there are concerns that the digital divide and unequal access to technology could create new barriers and exclusions
  • Lack of internet access or high-speed connectivity in certain communities
  • Prohibitive costs of VR headsets and other specialized hardware
  • Digital literacy gaps and uneven familiarity with emerging technologies
• The shift towards digital distribution raises questions about the economic viability of traditional theatre models
  • Streaming and online distribution may cannibalize in-person ticket sales and subscriptions
  • Digital platforms take a significant cut of online revenue, reducing margins for theatre companies
  • The abundance of digital content may devalue the perceived worth of individual productions
• Ensuring fair remuneration and royalties for theatre artists in the digital ecosystem remains a challenge
  • Digital distribution complicates the tracking and attribution of creative contributions
  • Revenue-sharing models for online platforms are often opaque and inequitable
  • The scale and reach of digital distribution may not translate to proportional compensation for artists

Future of Live Performance and Engagement

Hybrid Forms and Aesthetics

• The integration of digital technology is likely to continue transforming the aesthetics and production practices of theatre
  • Multimedia and multi-sensory experiences will become more prevalent (Sleep No More)
  • Algorithmic and generative approaches will enable novel forms of procedural storytelling (AI Improv)
  • Digital avatars and virtual performers will be integrated alongside human actors (Dimension)
• The increasing use of virtual and augmented reality may lead to the emergence of new hybrid forms of theatre
  • Site-specific VR experiences that blend physical and virtual environments (The Collider)
  • AR-enhanced productions that overlay digital content onto physical stages and sets (Fragments)
  • Telematic performances that connect performers and audiences across distance (Hole in Space)
• The boundaries between live and mediated performance will continue to blur and dissolve
  • Live performances will incorporate more cinematic and post-produced elements
  • Recorded and streamed performances will strive to capture the energy and presence of liveness
  • Interactive digital platforms will enable real-time collaboration between remote performers

Audience Engagement and Business Models

• The rise of online streaming and digital distribution could alter the economics of theatre production and distribution
  • Subscription-based models for access to a catalogue of digital productions (BroadwayHD)
  • Pay-per-view and micro-transactions for individual performances or experiences
  • Freemium models with ad-supported content and premium upgrades
• However, there are concerns that the shift towards digital platforms could undermine the unique value and appeal of live theatre
  • The communal and ephemeral nature of live performance may be lost in translation to digital formats
  • The social and ritual aspects of theatregoing may be diminished by solitary, on-demand viewing
  • The serendipity and risk of live theatre may be tempered by the controlled and curated nature of digital platforms
• The changing dynamics of audience engagement in the digital age may require theatre companies to develop new strategies
  • Cultivating online communities and fan cultures around productions and artists
  • Offering personalized and exclusive digital content to foster deeper engagement
  • Leveraging data analytics and audience insights to inform programming and marketing decisions
• The long-term impact of digital technology on theatre education and training remains uncertain
  • Integrating digital skills and literacy into theatre curricula and professional development
  • Balancing technical proficiency with embodied practice and physical technique
  • Preparing theatre artists to navigate the legal and ethical implications of digital rights and ownership
• Theatre institutions and practitioners will need to continually adapt and innovate to remain relevant and resilient in a rapidly evolving landscape
  • Embracing experimentation and risk-taking in the face of technological change
  • Forging interdisciplinary collaborations and partnerships with technology companies and research labs
  • Advocating for policies and practices that support the sustainability and equity of the theatre ecosystem in the digital age