Build Your World – Meaningful Choices in a Hybrid Stage Play

Abstract

This paper examines the design of meaningful choices for theater audiences embedded in a hybrid play using digital tools and systems. A case study is presented that is established on a hybrid stage performance called ALIENATION based on the so-far unpublished eponymous novel by Corinna Antelmann, which premiered in early 2022 at the Landestheater Linz. The audience could take part in the performance via a real-time rendering engine. Apart from describing the case study in detail, we outline further applications and opportunities to facilitate audience participation and engagement. In general, ALIENATION’s design and production positively impacted the audience’s attention, especially regarding younger demographics.