3875: Performing with Technology

Develop new course offered for the first time in Spring of 2021

Description:

Advanced techniques in virtual/online performance with established and new technologies including live cameras, audio, greenscreen, special effects, and controlling digital avatars.

Course Objectives:

1. Understand the basic concepts, theories and practical applications of performing in virtual/online platforms.

2. Develop applied knowledge of creating virtual/online performance.

3. Cite and discuss historical and contemporary artists and companies working in virtual performance.

4. Work collaboratively across disciplines to investigate performance approaches to virtual/online and new modes of storytelling.

5. Develop skills in manipulating digital assets and operating virtual platforms.

6. Operate computer, camera, and sound equipment and virtual platforms.

7. Improve teamwork and communication skills.

8. Critique and evaluate work.

Rationale for Creating this Course:

Associate Professor Paul Kalina, the head of acting, wanted to expand the MFA acting curriculum to include training in digital performance in order to provide students with a skillset for twenty-first century performance opportunities that frequently occur in mediums such as film, TV, animation, Voice Over, emerging internet platforms, motion capture performance, etc. He not only wanted to provide training for actors in performance for these digital mediums, but also to provide students with tools to become creative content producers in these various artforms. I worked closely with Professor Kalina to create a four-course digital arts curriculum, of which this class was designed specifically for the MDA actors.

Note:

The course was originally designed to introduce performers to performing with live cameras and live greenscreen effects onstage, control digital avatars in real-time during live events, and explore performing with emerging technology such as augmented reality, virtual reality and motion capture. Due to Covid-19, the course had to be completely re-imagined for online teaching. I opened the course to graduate designers and choreographers who might benefited from the topic and collaborations.

Towards the Future:

This course is designed to run every three years; the next iteration of this course should be able to return to the original pre-Covid goals.

Enrollment Breakdown by Year/Semester:

• Spring 2021 enrollment: 13 of 14 (13 grads)
• majors: Theatre Arts, Dance

Link to: Spring 2021 ICON site

Links to Syllabi Per Semester:

Link to: Spring 2021 Syllabus

Links to Course Evaluations Per Semester:

Link to: Spring 2021 Student Evaluations