Lecture showcases virtual theatre research

A new software program for theatre studies developed by a University of Queensland researcher will take centre stage at an upcoming free public lecture.

Theatres Online: Using Virtual Reality in Theatre Studies Research is the topic for the next UQ Centre for Critical and Cultural Studies lecture on Thursday, August 14 from 5.30pm until 6.30pm in the UQ Centre.

School of English, Media Studies and Art History Associate Professor Joanne Tompkins joined forces with staff from UQ’s Advanced Computational Modelling Centre to develop Theatres Online.

The software facilitates both the production and touring of theatre; and research on theatre space.

Theatres trialled as 3D interactive models to date include the Brisbane Powerhouse and La Boite Theatre. By the end of this year, the new La Boite Theatre, Cairns Civic Theatre, and two of the four venues of the Sleeman Centre will also be modelled.

The software provides highly accurate scale renderings of the theatres using Virtual Reality Modelling Language (VRML).

“The additional facility to place props and sets within the recognisable location of La Boite or the Powerhouse Theatre makes this software unique in theatre studies and in computer-modelling work,” Dr Tompkins said.

“The ability to import objects on to a stage and then manipulate and save the resulting design has already helped staff at La Boite Theatre. The lecture details how the program has helped in the production of Daniel Keene`s Half and Half, and the revival of David Williamson’s The Removalists.”

The Centre’s lecture series aims to promote the research culture of the arts and humanities, in addition to showcasing the diversity of research currently undertaken within the fields of critical and cultural studies.

For tickets or more information, contact Andrea Mitchell (telephone 07 3365 7182, facsimile 07 3365 7184, email a.mitchell@uq.edu.au).

Media inquiries: Jan King (telephone 07 3365 1120, email j.king@uq.edu.au).