"Live Media: Interactive Technology and Theatre" Summary

Through the use of interactive media, the "theatre" can use technology to enhance the performance of actors. Saltz founded the Interactive Performance Laboratory (IPL) whose two main goals include using interactive media without compromising spontaneity and only to use media if it enhances the work. Saltz defines interactive media as media that responds to the spontaneity of performance. Linear media, in contrast, would inhibit performance interaction. Each of the plays Saltz directed included interactive media in many ways in order to showcase different interpretations. An intriguing way to use technology occurred during the production of "Kaspar" in 1999. In once scene alone, there was a use of an accelerometer, pressure sensors, and audio sensors. Each of these sensors where connected to a computer to play the appropriate sound or graphic, but only when the actor triggered the sensor. This allowed for the spontaneity of the play to continue. For the audio sensor, the actors voice would trigger the computer to respond appropriately. In other plays, the audio sensor detected the volume of the voice to create graphics accordingly. The IPL has successfully been able to create works in which technology interacts with the performers on the same level.