Performing with Me: Enhancing Audience-Performer Interaction in An Immersive Virtual Play

An overview of design suggestions for contemporary theatrical VR productions

“…(Gochfeld et al 20219, 4) It is also important to note that actors with more realistic avatars tend to feel more in a rigid context then the less realistic avatars, while on the audience's side the more realistic avatar creates higher expectations towards the performers (Gochfeld et al ibid. ) Similarly, Yan et al (2021), offer a specific taxonomy for interactions in VR theatrical settings: (1) individual-based interaction (IBI) includes mainly linguistic interaction and physical contact; (2) scenario-based interaction (SBI) "enables audience to play directly with virtual stage props under the guidance of the performer." (Yan et al 2021, 3) and (3) narrative-based interaction (NBI), which occurs if there are possibilities to make meaningful choices that influence the story, which is possible when multiple storylines are allowed in the production.…”