The Future of Technology in the Performing Arts: VR versus Broadcast

Alexann Sharp and Lehan Xu discuss the impact of technology on performance industries, particularly VR concerts and broadcast theater. They note that COVID-19 accelerated the adoption of VR concerts, initially by smaller artists due to cost and uncertainty. Examples include Sabrina Carpenter and Kid Leroy's Meta collaborations. They highlight technical challenges like audio quality and headset comfort. In broadcast theater, historical examples date back to the 1930s, with modern initiatives like the Met Opera's "Live in HD" and National Theater Live. Both discuss the balance between accessibility and maintaining the authenticity of live performances.

National Theatre Live/

Met Opera “Live in HD”

Amaze VR

Transcript available at the Arts Management and Technology Lab: Podcasts