What is the relationship between theater and immersive technologies? What spatial, technical and narrative qualities does a medium like virtual reality offer? Which aspects are important?

Continue reading “Virtual theater architectures and co-creative performance spaces”

When looking at the design possibilities for a VR production, it helps to first draw attention to the target audience:
Continue reading “Actors in co-creative playing environments”

When the audience is integrated into an artistic performance through the use of participatory strategies, the suggested cooperation at eye level often takes place only superficially. The participants are only given limited power to act and are usually involved in the supposedly collective creative process without authorship.
Continue reading “Cocreative performances in Hybrid-real stage spaces”

What are the different options? From simple to complex, from open-access to high-priced. We give a first overview of different scenarios of the virtual building trial.
Continue reading “How to “Virtual Bauprobe”?”

Project lead Franziska Ritter talks to Alexander Segin, Head of Event Technology Konzerthaus Berlin. During the 2020/21 season, which marked the concert hall’s 200-year anniversary, we had a chance to test workflows for virtual construction rehearsals with him and his team. Continue reading ““We are navigating an experimental field, which is still finding its form” Interview with Alex Segin”

Christian Buschhoff, who oversees the renovation efforts at Luisenburg festival, and Fabian Schröter, the technical director, talked to project leads Franziska Ritter and Pablo Dornhege about digital tools used to plan renovations and virtual construction rehearsals. Continue reading ““There is added value through the results that we derive from digitalisation” Interview with Christian Buschhoff and Fabian Schröter”

Franziska Ritter and Pablo Dornhege, both digital.DTHG project leads, sat down with Andreas Gause, Director of Marketing & Business Development at Gerriets, to talk about digital transformation in the field of theatre. Continue reading ““Technology is much more than a gimmick” Interview with Andreas Gause, Gerriets”

The current situation shows how important digital teaching and learning formats currently are and will be in the future at universities, but also in training and learning situations in the theater and event sector. In cooperation with teachers and learners of the Theater and Event Technology and Management course at the Berlin University of Applied Sciences, we have developed prototypical new teaching and learning tools in virtual reality. In a practice- and project-oriented approach, we developed and tested specific scenarios and tried out new ways of learning. The result is a series of digital, interactive training units.

Individual articles on the developed prototypes
https://digital.dthg.de/en/projects/virtual-training-tools/ 

Open source code on Github
https://github.com/digitaldthg/BHT-VR-Prototypes  

Link to the project
https://digital.dthg.de/en/projects/virtual-training-tools/ 

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Training institutions, like large theatres, move only slowly. The digital competences needed now and in the future must therefore be urgently anchored in the curriculum of training institutions and universities. Above all, this includes a critical and value-based approach to digitality. Here, new competences are clearly needed in all disciplines, if not completely new job profiles, for example virtual scenography, digital event technology and hybrid real stage work. 

The DTHG has already processed some research results for a sustainable further training offer for the theatre landscape and offers online impulses and workshops. Within the framework of the EU programme „PACT FOR SKILLS“ the prototypes are currently being tested and further developed with international further developed. 

At the Berlin University of Applied Sciences, two of the prototypes developed are currently being further developed within the framework of the funded project „Interactive Teaching in Virtual MINT Laboratories“. The project, which is funded by the „Innovation in University Teaching“ foundation, started on 1 August 2021. In order to enable students to use their skills in applied, scientific work and carry out experiments despite limited access to laboratories, so-called virtual laboratories were created at the BHT. 

Here, students have the opportunity to carry out experiments virtually and step by step before they will then practise them in reality. This has the advantage that material costs are reduced and fewer errors occur. In addition, students can repeat experiments as often as they like, which in turn results in a high learning effect. Additional AR and VR options for gesture and voice recognition offer realistic interactions. The innovative idea of the project is to consistently link the possibilities of virtual laboratories with digital teaching/learning concepts and to carry them into the breadth of the university.

Cocreative performances in analog-digital interstices 

The central field of investigation in this subproject is the relationship between physical reality and virtual space and interaction processes between spectators and musicians/performers. With the development and realization of the VR performance “Spatial Encounters” we explored the extent to which the linking of a real/physical space with a digital/immaterial space can be used as a design tool, thus enabling new spaces of experience. The aim was to explore cocreation processes in the context of artistic stagings and performance spaces, with a focus on musical experience.

Continue reading “Results of the project Hybrid-real stage spaces”

Interactive user manuals of complex constructions and systems

Highly complex equipment is used in the event sector and on theater stages. The technologies and products used are so diverse that their operation cannot be taught comprehensively in training. In addition, assembly and operating instructions available as paper documents are often too unspecific and – especially in the working environment on stage – impractical to handle. At this point, digital instructions can support the work of stage technicians and create a decisive added value by increasing the readability of digital 3D models.

As a basis for a practical examination of the requirements of such assembly aids and for discussion with the various stakeholders and dialog partners, we created a first functional prototype for the AR-supported assembly of a curtain rail. The instructions – in the form of an interactive website – guide the user through the assembly in ten simple steps after an overview of all required parts used and tools. A short accompanying text (theoretically also possible in several languages) describes the procedures and points out pitfalls. The individual construction steps are stored as three-dimensional animations and can be sequentially triggered, whereby the viewing angle and zoom factor can be determined by the user. 

Open source codes on Github
https://github.com/digitaldthg/Web-XR-Digitale-Aufbauanleitung  

Link to the project
https://digital.dthg.de/en/projects/augmented-reality-in-event-technology/ 

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Based on the findings from the first prototype, which was developed for the construction of a specific curtain rail, and in combination with the WebXR editor/viewer application, which was created for the visualisation of theatre architecture, a transferable workflow for the creation of augmented assembly instructions and operating aids was developed. This combination brings to bear the special advantages of an editorial system with an easy-to-use web interface. Thus, manufacturers can compile new instructions from existing 3D modules and publish them immediately. Knowledge of coding and 3D modelling is not necessary. This means that the tutorial can later be transferred to other theatre technology products and elements. A further expansion stage would be the connection to an online configurator in combination with a product library. This way, customers could have their individual combinations of products displayed directly at the respective venue.

Through the development of the augmented assembly instructions, the draft for a utopian, infrastructural concept emerged in collaboration with the cooperation partners, which could not be deepened within the framework of this research project. Building on the vision of a manufacturer-independent database for theatre technologies, the aim is, among other things, to recognise and augment objects or products in order to precisely determine the origin, compatibility, test history and life cycle of a machine or object. Linked to the findings of this research project, these data sets could be used to support safety-relevant work, such as risk assessment, functional safety checks or remote diagnosis and maintenance.

Complex building projects, new buildings and renovation projects for theatres and cultural venues bring great communicative challenges for all involved. Not everyone is trained to read floor plans and many find it difficult to translate a plan drawing into a three-dimensional image. To what extent can digital technologies such as augmented reality be used to support communication on models, on drawings and in real space and to present complex architectural transformation processes in a comprehensible way? 

Together with the Luisenburg Festspiele in Wunsiedel we outlined an easy-to-use, „augmented“ presentation format: Using a tablet, smartphone or AR glasses, users can present three-dimensional content on a drawn floor plan or a physical terrain model, for example the current planning status or variants of a stage design. The physical-real objects serve as anchor points for the overlay of digital three-dimensional content. The presentations can be prepared in advance by the presenters and contain a wide range of information. Similar to the slides of a PowerPoint presentation, the presenter and viewer can then click through the different 3D models. The developed application consists of two related components: On the one hand, this is the WebXR editor, in which the „slides“ are compiled and prepared, and on the other hand, the WebXR viewer, which can be called up online to display the presentation. This browser-based and device-independent use allows the same content to be played out in different ways. 

• The WebXR editor, where the “slides” are compiled and prepared.
• The WebXR viewer, which can be accessed online to display the presentation.

Both applications were designed in such a way that they are not only specific to this subject area, but can also be transferred to other areas: Thus, with this application, we were able to develop parallel adaptations for the topics „Augmented Reality in Event Technology“ and „Digital Twins of Theatre Technology History“.

The technical basis for the application is the new WebXR standard, which allows three-dimensional content to be displayed on a wide variety of devices, whereby the type of display depends on the technical capabilities of the hardware. This browser-based and device-independent use allows the same content to be played out in different ways.

Open source code on Github
WebXR editor (backend): https://github.com/digitaldthg/Web-XR-Editor-Backend
WebXR viewer (presenter): https://github.com/digitaldthg/Web-XR-Editor-Presenter  

Link to the project
https://digital.dthg.de/en/projects/mixed-reality 

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Even though the development of the platform within the research project has been completed, the servers will remain online for the time being and our cooperation partners and the digital.DTHG team can continue to work with the application and gain important experience. We also discuss further questions with external stakeholders and outline further use scenarios. Such use cases include, for example, interactive presentations with school classes (for example for theatre education), site and building overviews for the safety briefing of new staff or also the communication of tourist information for an interested public (for example in the outdoor area of a venue).

This leads to an extension of the desired functionality, for example, an option for georeferenced tracking is needed for outdoor use. The development of new applications also expands the circle of possible users. This shows that a further development of the application is also interesting for actors outside the theatre landscape and that independent and usable products and communication tools can be created on the basis of the prototypes.

Chris van Goethem, researcher and teacher for technical theatre and history at Erasmus University in Brussels at the RITCS School of Arts, started in the 80s as a stage manager with touring theatre companies. By now he is working in two different areas: on the one hand everything that has to do with competences, knowledge management, organising of education programs and structuring international exchanges.  Continue reading ““Digital tools are just a reflection on the fact that we want to work together” Interview Chris van Goethem”

The digital.DTHG team visits the theater junge generation Dresden, one of the first cooperation partners in the research project “Im/material Theatre Spaces”. Project manager Franziska Ritter and VR coach Vincent Kaufmann ask about experiences and insights and show how the Dresden colleagues have made it from their first virtual attempts to established digital workflows in their daily work. Continue reading “Interview: “VR is the driving force for us!” digital.DTHG in conversation with theater junge generation Dresden”

Which methods are available for spatial capture and what are the advantages and disadvantages?
Continue reading “Quickly explained: How do I create a digital theater space – 3D construction, photogrammetry or laser scan?”

Learning by doing or in-depth training? Bachelor’s, master’s or continuing education? How can the digital transformation be driven forward in the theater?
Continue reading “Quickly recommended: Further education, study, training in the field of VR / AR / XR for theater.”

We are pleased to present the VR experience about the “Großes Schauspielhaus Berlin” at the Deutsches Architekturmuseum Frankfurt / Main on September 16 and 17, 2021 – ICOMOS conference “To be or not to be –Historic Theater Buildings: Use and Modernisation”. Continue reading “Conference: “To be or not to be – Historical Theater Buildings: Use and Modernisation””

From April to July 2021, we were able to conduct a second cooperation with the Berliner Hochschule für Technik (BHT): together with the students of the master’s program Theater and Event Technology, we again designed and prototyped three different virtual teaching and learning spaces in a seminar – this time led by Lea Schorling. Continue reading “Prototypes for virtual learning spaces”

In our project “Hybrid-real stages” we investigate with the VR experience “Spatial Encounters” to what extent the linking of a real/physical with a digital/immaterial space can be used as a design tool and enable completely new experiential spaces. Continue reading “Hybrid real stages?”

The VR Experience “Spatial Encounters” celebrated its premiere in the Thuringian monastery Volkenroda on August 27 and 28, 2021 and set experimental and virtual accents in the context of the Summer Concert Festival! Continue reading “Premiere Spatial Encounters at the Summer Concerts Volkenroda”

Save the date: We will celebrate the premiere of the VR installation “Spatial Encounters” on August 27, 2021 at the summer concerts in Volkenroda!

In this digital experiment, musicians and audience alike become actors, creating a shared encounter space in virtual reality (VR).
Continue reading “digital.DTHG at the summer concerts Volkenroda”

We present the prototypical sample solution for the TRUMPF 95 assembly instructions in detail.
Continue reading “WebXR Tutorial – a prototype for digital assembly instructions”

Time Travel with Virtual Reality – Berlin 1927

In cooperation with the Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin, the team of digital.DTHG publishes the virtual reality project “Opening night at the Große Schauspielhaus”. Continue reading “Online-Release: Opening Night at the Große Schauspielhaus”

In a field test, we tested a WebXR prototype for setting up the Gerriets TRUMPF 95 curtain track with the technical team of the Deutsches Theater Berlin at the end of April 2021.
Continue reading “Reality Check WebXR Tutorial at the Deutsches Theater Berlin”

Recently, the article “Making im/material theatre spaces tangible – Exploring collection objects virtually” was published in the volume “Objects on the internet – Scientific collections in digital transformation” by transcript publishing house.

Continue reading ““Objects on the internet” – Theatre history in digital transformation”

Continue reading ““How to go virtual?!” Workshop for freelance stage designers – together with the association “Bund der Szenografen””

An interdisciplinary kick-off workshop entitled “IM/MATERIAL THEATRE SPACES” took place in spring 2019 at the TU Berlin under the direction of Franziska Ritter and Pablo Dornhege.
Continue reading “Kick-off workshop and prototype development”