STAGED REALITIES

From the ancient deus ex machina crane through Rossum’s Universal Robots, technology has always been both at the core of stagecraft and fueling the imagination for playwrights. Today, AI enters the stage, bringing new possibilities: it opens up new layers of creative experimentation and iteration, it can support institutional growth and help with audience development. It is indeed a powerful new tool, but how do we ensure we embrace it with care and understanding, while safeguarding our digital sovereignty?
AI in theater also raises philosophical and political questions. About authorship—who gets to be called an author? About suspension of belief—what does now count as real? About the human connection—what happens to stage presence when the presence is not exactly…there? In a future mediated by technology, where live presence might become a luxury, how will theater—and all of us—not only adapt, but actively respond, rethink, and reshape the role of performance?
The hands-on program brings to stage leading practitioners, technologists, and researchers of AI in theater and performative art. With fireside chats, keynotes, case studies, and interactive elements, the day itself unfolds like a play. It begins with a Prologue to set the scene, moving through three thematic Acts that explore the intersections of creativity, technological innovation, and social impact, and closing with an Epilogue to reflect on what kind of new reality is taking the stage.