The future of immersive entertainment: UNCSA charts the course

Step into a world where reality blends seamlessly with imagination, where every corner
holds a story waiting to be explored. This isn’t just entertainment; it’s an invitation
to immerse yourself in worlds crafted with passion and purpose. Immersive entertainment,
the captivating fusion of technology, creativity and collaboration, has emerged as
a beacon of innovation in the 21st century, and UNCSA grads will be among the trailblazers.

Immersive entertainment allows the audience, viewer or participant to be surrounded
by or interact with the narrative environment. As the curtain rises on this new frontier, deans and faculty explain how UNCSA stands
at the forefront, preparing a generation of innovators poised to redefine how we experience
art and narrative. 

Immersive revolution: The craving for engaging experiences

Public interest in immersive entertainment accelerated after the COVID-19 pandemic
as art enthusiasts worldwide emerged from their homes, seeking to reconnect in multi-dimensional
experiences.

“People are hungry for an experience they can walk into,” says Dean of Filmmaking Deborah LaVine. “They want to be involved, not just entertained.”

Michael Kelley, Dean of Design and Production (D&P), agrees. “People don’t only want to sit in a theater and watch ‘Hello Dolly!’
anymore. They want something more dynamic and engaging,” he says.  

Immersive entertainment’s path to prominence is marked by iconic theatrical experiences
like the long-running “Death No More” in New York City, blockbuster films including
“Jurassic Park” and “Avatar,” and popular theme park attractions like Disney’s Toy
Story Land and Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Andy Paris, who teaches devised theater in the School of Drama, says the development of immersive entertainment has taken two tracks. “There is
the technological trajectory, with tools like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality
(AR), and there is physical immersion, where you place yourself in the surroundings,”
he explains.

Though its future is yet to be written, immersive entertainment is expected to grow
exponentially worldwide and is projected to generate $426 billion by 2030. Projections include growth in theme park attendance, films and gaming, interactive
theatrical experiences, and art installations. 

Creating the future of immersive entertainment

Whichever direction immersive entertainment takes, UNCSA grads will be well equipped
to lead the way. 

D&P recently launched a graduate animatronics program that Kelley says is grounded in the arts but also utilizes science and technology,
filling a specific need in the entertainment industry. Beyond animatronics, the specific
needs of immersive entertainment are incorporated into the curriculum of disciplines
like sound and lighting, wigs and makeup, costumes, props and scenic design.

“It is all about transferable skills,” Kelley says. “If you can design for stage productions,
you have the skills to design for other settings.”

Paris says the School of Drama trains actors to be present in the event, whatever
the form and structure. “What is required of the actor is intense listening, being
able to be present, to breathe, to follow an impulse,” he says. “That fundamentally
does not change with location.”

Training in devised theater and other less traditional structures will develop versatile
actors and directors, Paris adds. “The School of Drama is leaning forward, spending
time and energy in the present day to prepare our students for success no matter what
comes next.”

The School of Dance is also well positioned to embrace this wave of immersive entertainment, collaborating
across disciplines to tap into immersive experiences, Dean Endalyn Outlaw says.

Holiday Suite was a 2023 collaboration between the Schools of Dance, Film, Music and
Drama that immersed audiences in various cultural traditions. / Photo: Wayne Reich

“Projects like Holiday Suite — a collaboration between dance, film, music and drama
— immerse audiences in cultural traditions, showcasing the potential of interdisciplinary
collaboration. Through workshops like CineDance (choreography and performance that
is especially devised for motion-picture photography) students will hone their skills
in each other’s disciplines, navigating this unique intersection between dance, film
and emerging technology,” she says.

“Moving forward, we will focus on integrating immersive techniques into our curriculum
to enhance students’ interdisciplinary skills,” Outlaw adds.

Harmonizing art and technology

The convergence of music and cutting-edge technology is not just a trend but a foundational
element of the curriculum. As industries evolve, the School of Music adapts, ensuring students are ready for the demands of modern entertainment landscapes.
Dean Saxton Rose says that training organically supports immersive entertainment. For example, some
music is composed to be played into a headset for gaming. 

“The School of Music is actively connecting music and technology in a number of ways,”
Rose says, pointing to the Composition for Film and Visual Media graduate program, the new UNCSA Media recording label, and the state-of-the-art recording studio and sound stage.

This focus on technological integration in music can also be seen in the School of
Filmmaking’s efforts to harness similar advancements, adapting to the growing demand
for immersive and interactive media. The School of Filmmaking “recognizes the voracious appetite that young artists have
for creating AR, VR and other immersive products, and the public’s desire to consume
the experiences,” LaVine explains.

“We have a program for that. We are on top of that technology, but the most important
thing we teach is the human connection,” she says. “Storytelling is the core of our
curriculum. We merge classic cinema tools with visual effects, puppetry, animatronics,
and new tools like AR and VR. Students choose the vehicle, but the story is paramount.” 

Virtual reality and augmented reality are part of the technical trajectory incorporated
in immersive entertainment. / Photo: Wayne Reich

Whatever the vehicle, conservatory leaders agree that the ultimate goal is arriving
at a compelling story. “Amidst the technological whirlwinds, let us not forget the
journey’s foundation: the spark of imagination, the collaborative spirit, and the
unwavering belief in the power of stories to shape us, to move us, to make us dream,”
says Filmmaking faculty Bob Keen.

“In the years to come, the tools may change, the landscapes may morph, but one thing
will remain constant: the human desire to paint our dreams onto light, to share them
with the world, and to embark on this extraordinary journey together.”

by Lauren Whitaker

Get the best news, performance and alumni stories from UNCSA.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTERS(OPENS IN NEW TAB)