Theatre Artists Debate the Pros and Cons of Using Technology

To use technology or to not, that is the question theatre producers are facing as the digital age progresses and audience numbers decline. The benefits and dangers of integrating technology into the craft has been an ongoing debate in the theatre community for years. It was recently brought to the forefront by a gathering of experts and artists discussing the future of theatre at the TEDxBroadway event.  Former Facebook Marketing Director, Randi Zuckerburg presented ideas on how theatres could utilize technology to grow their audiences, such as live streaming performances at a lower cost. Zuckerburg urges theatres to move into the 21st Century and use technology to promote theatre, she asks, “Why should it just be a sliver of the world coming to Broadway...when we can bring Broadway to the entire world?” 

Digital Devices Involve Audience in Play Writing Process

Generous Company founding member David White utilizes clicker technology in a unique capacity to enable collaboration between playwrights and audiences. Before a performance, select audience members are given electronic devices and instructed to answer questions via the device throughout the play on a scale of 1 through 9. When the answers are graphed after the performance, they illustrate the audience’s perspective at different points of the play. The data collected allows playwrights to confirm if they are clearly conveying their message throughout the production. Normally, playwrights only receive audience feedback once the play is over, which as White explains can influence their answers and cause inaccurate data.

Marketing Technology is Widely Used for Promoting Theatres and Productions 

Theatre communities universally recognize technology as an essential tool for marketing. A survey completed by the National Endowment for the Arts reports the majority of organizations are using their websites and social media outlets to promote and increase audience engagement. Theatre J’s Director of Community Outreach and New Media, Molly Winston cultivates audiences by using numerous technologies including a comprehensive website, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and a Wordpress blog. Winston shares the process of their blog and its effectiveness to promote their productions and generate audience involvement.

listen to ‘Theatre J updates performance blog to gain audience interest’ on Audioboo

Mobile Technology Used to Introduce Younger Audiences to Classic Theatre

A new trend dubbed “Tweet Seats” involves theatres catering to the mobile generation and their need to constantly tweet. These separate sections allow patrons to post updates throughout performances without disturbing other audience members. Although Tweet Seats are met with mixed reviews they could be seen as an opportunity for theatres to connect with a new generation. When Towson University Professor Peter Wray directed the17th Century play The Misanthrope, his goals were to make the classical piece accessible and pertinent to a younger audience. Setting the piece in present day Hollywood, actors tweeted with each other on stage in between their lines, mirroring how the celebrity and mobile generation connects today. Wray then took it a step further and encouraged the audience to tweet to the actors during performances, but added his own twist to help meld the theatrical and technical worlds.

Overuse of Technology in Theatre Could Sever Connection to Audiences

The benefits of utilizing technology are numerous but some theatre artists still remain skeptical and refuse to jump on the digital bandwagon. Ian Belknap, Artist Director of the Acting Company, believes that technology excludes audience members from significant moments, he argues, “The essence of drama is two people that think they’re both right and want different things.Technology fails to create shock, awe and conflict.” Although White and Wray integrated technology into their productions, they both agree that overuse can create distance and overshadow theatre’s ability to connect with people on a deep, emotional level. They also both contend that theatre is vital to our society because it builds and strengthens communities on both sides of the curtain. Additionally, Winston observes that technology cannot replicate the intrinsic value of experiencing theatre live and in person. 

listen to ‘Molly Winston says people cannot fully experience theatre through technology’ on Audioboo

The debate of whether or not to infuse technology into theatre will forge on for years due to the constant struggle between technological innovation and artistic integrity. It will remain to be seen if the pure art form of theatre can survive the digital age.