Abstract

A major public performance experiment surrounding the production of the Tony Award-winning musical, The Who’s Tommy in the virtual theatrical environment is being mounted in April 2009 on the campus of Michigan State University. Through unique partnerships between the Department of Theatre, Department of Telecommunications, Information and Studies and Wharton Center for the Performing Arts, divergent resources will be collected to create unique theatrical design experiences. Virtually updating the “Pinball Wizard” described in the seminal song from the show will include modern gaming associations including more physical interaction between player and virtual environment. <p> Recent theatrical trends have eschewed traditional scenery for mediated environments. The use of live actors inhabiting a virtual space has become a compelling and necessary step in leading edge performative theatrical design. A commitment to the research and development of virtual theatrical scenography will be achieved in various ways. </p><p> The complicated mixture of traditional theatrical research, 3-D modeling computer software, and multi-projector systems in various venues in combination with live actors would become a regular and consistent element of design in both curriculum and production work at Michigan State University. Through curricular advancements, exposure to this swiftly developing genre and unique outreach efforts, the work of faculty and students of Michigan State University will yield a competitive and necessary expertise in virtual theatrical design.</p>