Mari Thynne, PhD student and experimental theatre practitioner from HighWire, University of Lancaster will share insights of a recent study of 11 immersive theatre and pervasive media performance practitioners. The aim is to share the experiences of the theatre makers that integrate digital technology and live performance through a ‘sense-making’ theoretical lens.

Study participants, Rosie Poebright (Splash & Ripple) and Rik Lander (Freelance Writer and Creative Director) and Sharon Clark (The Raucous Collective) will be joining Mari in a forum discussion on thoughts around the major findings:

1.    Innovation is found developing out of tensions  – especially when teams come together from different creative backgrounds.

2.    A growing number of hybrid identities of performance makers is demonstrated as they undertake second jobs within Advertising, Design or Academia.

3.    Funding and Budgeting compromise is used owing to funding cuts. The ‘aesthetic’ is vital to create a ‘real’ experience for the audience but digital interventions can be costly.

Mari will also share her plans for an online network of UK immersive theatre/pervasive media enabled performance practitioners. She hopes to offer an online space that will offer advice from the practitioner perspective - written by practitioners for practitioners. Offering links to funding opportunities, and importantly, new models of income generation to help develop innovation in theatre and performances. The idea was generated from this timely study.

Mari was trained in Theatre at Dartington (1995) and became Artistic Director of a small experimental theatre company -Theatre of Red Earth – resident at the Barn Theatre in Devon. Following this, she managed the Tippett Arts Centre at Bath Spa University and taught at City of Bath College. Thereafter, working in senior management at Bath Spa University, achieving a Master of Research in Management from the University of Bath. Together, the past practice and recent digital innovation learning, leads her to be undertaking a PhD study in Immersive Theatre production.

This Lunchtime Talk is part of Open Studio Friday, which takes place at the Studio every week.

Do you want to find out what is going on at the Pervasive Media Studio? Are you interested in meeting our residents, talking about a specific project or curious about pervasive media? Why not pack a sandwich and join us for one of our Lunchtime Talks and Open Studio Friday.

Lunchtime Talks are informal presentations by Studio residents and associates. They normally take place at 1pm on Friday, are free and open to everybody who’s interested in what we do.

After the Talk, we also invite you to stay with us for the afternoon to continue the conversation or work on your own projects. We provide chairs, tables, wireless and a great space. You bring what you need to work with (laptop/mobile). Our open afternoons close at 5pm.
Let us know if you’d like a tour of the space and we'll be happy to show you around. Send an email to admin@pmstudio.co.uk