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Project Type: Immersive Theater Experience
Partners: Pilot project is supported by Annenberg Foundation partnering with the Goldhirsch Foundation's LA2050 initiative through the Annenberg Challenge for Innovation in Technology |
Overview
Winter’s End is an immersive theater experience combining the writings of C.S. Lewis, a full-scale replica of the Sistine Chapel with 12 audience members participating per show. Presented at Texas Performing Arts Bass Concert Hall, and through the generosity of JC Backings and the Art Directors Guild Archives, University of Texas at Austin has received a suite of Sistine Chapel backdrops created for the 1968 MGM film, "The Shoes of the Fisherman, considered the "High Renaissance" of motion picture scenic art. Using this asset as our core setting audiences are invited on an Italian Renaissance fantastical journey with real actors and digitally augmented characters to leverage new affordances of escape rooms, immersive theater, and interactive storytelling.
Each participant will set upon one of four paths guided by augmented reality with the Magic Leap and IoT sensory props to trigger different story beats from a reimagined adventure of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." Through spatial audio, head gazing, and eye tracking, the audience will be guided from room to room to gather clues, but only 4 of the 12 audience members per show will unite to be judged worthy to unlock the mystery at the heart of enlightenment.
Bridging Industry & Academia
Research shows that intergenerational play supports language development, critical thinking, and emotional connections among families and communities. However, opportunities for people to come together for intergenerational play—experiences that are equally playful no matter your age—are often difficult to find and access.
CARPE LA has two key features that will make LA the best place to play. First, it will bring an exciting new intergenerational play experience to parks around LA, which will offer the added benefit of bringing communities together. Second, CARPE LA blends digital and physical play through augmented reality technology similar to what powered the hit game Pokemon Go!
CARPE LA will also increase access to open space and park activities through gameplay events designed for participants of all ages and abilities. As a team game, play is enhanced by including players with differing abilities and ideas. And, although the game has a technological component, it is not necessary for all team members to have a mobile device to participate.
Partners
Our University of Texas at Austin team is a cross-disciplinary collaboration between Moody College of Communication, College of Fine Arts and Texas Performing Arts. Moody College of Communication's Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship / Professor, Erin Reilly and Karen Maness, Scenic Art Supervisor / Lecturer in the Department of Department of Theater and Dance, have put together a team of faculty and students across multiple colleges and departments.
Texas Performing Arts will present Winter's End, an Immersive Theater Experience, at the Bass Concert Hall. The combined faculty and staff involved have over 60 years of experience in emerging media, AR, IoT, design and fabrication for live performances with students, classes and in-house space to build this.
Support for Winter's End
This project is seeking support. If you are interested in getting involved or supporting the project, reach out to LAURA FOWLER MCKNIGHT, Associate Director of Development at Moody College of Communication.
Winter’s End is an immersive theater experience combining the writings of C.S. Lewis, a full-scale replica of the Sistine Chapel with 12 audience members participating per show. Presented at Texas Performing Arts Bass Concert Hall, and through the generosity of JC Backings and the Art Directors Guild Archives, University of Texas at Austin has received a suite of Sistine Chapel backdrops created for the 1968 MGM film, "The Shoes of the Fisherman, considered the "High Renaissance" of motion picture scenic art. Using this asset as our core setting audiences are invited on an Italian Renaissance fantastical journey with real actors and digitally augmented characters to leverage new affordances of escape rooms, immersive theater, and interactive storytelling.
Each participant will set upon one of four paths guided by augmented reality with the Magic Leap and IoT sensory props to trigger different story beats from a reimagined adventure of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." Through spatial audio, head gazing, and eye tracking, the audience will be guided from room to room to gather clues, but only 4 of the 12 audience members per show will unite to be judged worthy to unlock the mystery at the heart of enlightenment.
Bridging Industry & Academia
Research shows that intergenerational play supports language development, critical thinking, and emotional connections among families and communities. However, opportunities for people to come together for intergenerational play—experiences that are equally playful no matter your age—are often difficult to find and access.
CARPE LA has two key features that will make LA the best place to play. First, it will bring an exciting new intergenerational play experience to parks around LA, which will offer the added benefit of bringing communities together. Second, CARPE LA blends digital and physical play through augmented reality technology similar to what powered the hit game Pokemon Go!
CARPE LA will also increase access to open space and park activities through gameplay events designed for participants of all ages and abilities. As a team game, play is enhanced by including players with differing abilities and ideas. And, although the game has a technological component, it is not necessary for all team members to have a mobile device to participate.
Partners
Our University of Texas at Austin team is a cross-disciplinary collaboration between Moody College of Communication, College of Fine Arts and Texas Performing Arts. Moody College of Communication's Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship / Professor, Erin Reilly and Karen Maness, Scenic Art Supervisor / Lecturer in the Department of Department of Theater and Dance, have put together a team of faculty and students across multiple colleges and departments.
Texas Performing Arts will present Winter's End, an Immersive Theater Experience, at the Bass Concert Hall. The combined faculty and staff involved have over 60 years of experience in emerging media, AR, IoT, design and fabrication for live performances with students, classes and in-house space to build this.
Support for Winter's End
This project is seeking support. If you are interested in getting involved or supporting the project, reach out to LAURA FOWLER MCKNIGHT, Associate Director of Development at Moody College of Communication.
