Adapting UX Methods for Theatre Audiences
The Challenge
Theatre experiences are becoming increasingly technologically mediated. How should theatre artists adapt their audience research protocols when audiences become interactive users in theatre works?
The Approach - Stage 1
My research assistant and I conducted initial research to answer the following questions:
- How are theatre artists who create tech-mediated theatre researching their users' experiences?
- Are there theatre artists who are currently utilizing UX methodology?
- What terminology do theatre artists use when referring to audience-users of theatre applications?
- Have scholars explored the connection between theatre audience research and UX research?
- At what point in the development of tech-mediated theatre do artists test their work with audiences?
The Results - Stage 1
I presented my background research in the session Rehearsing Audience Research: Critical Strategies for Digital Experiences at the Association for Theatre in Higher Education conference in Detroit in 2022. This roundtable discussion featured artist/scholars discussing VR theatre, interactive theatre games, theatre-facilitated online education, and mobile AR apps. This initial conversation will lead to a further collaboration applying UX methods on a new VR theatre production in 2023.
Next Steps
I am currently developing a handbook that adapts common UX research strategies for theatre artists, scholars, and dramaturgs.