Step-by-step guide on how to develop a digital-native theatre

Digital tools and platforms a comparative analysis

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Given the experience of creating digital native works, we consider some advantages and opportunities, as well as some difficulties and challenges, summarised in the following table. As an example, we have taken two platforms that offer different features and possibilities and cover a wide variety of uses and audience.

Zoom


Zoom is an interactive digital platform that allows conference calls and meetings thanks to the combination of video, audio, the possibility to share screens and documents as well as chat messages. Lately, it has also introduced the feature to draw and write on a virtual whiteboard while sharing it. It also enables the work in breakout groups that can independently function. Due to the mentioned features, it is widely used in the professional field to have work meetings, conferences, even workshops in an online digital format. In order to use it, the software should be downloaded or at least a user account should be created to access it online. The regular account is free of charge with limited features such as the limitation of 40 minutes per meeting.

WhatsApp


Whatsapp is a social networking application (originally for mobile phones, but lately with the possibility to open on the Web) that allows users to connect via text messages, audio and video calls and messages. It is linked to the user’s phone number and requires the other people’s phone numbers to connect. It gives a wide range of possibilities to send and receive videos, photos, use emoji and GIFs as well as to put profile pictures and update status. The application is free of charge and can be downloaded easily.

WHATSAPP vs ZOOM

General Digital platforms Advantages/Opportunities/Facilities Disadvantages/Difficulties/Challenges
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  • Possibility of access to culture in contexts of pandemics, forced confinement or other situations that do not allow face-to-face interactions and gathering.

  • Diversification of sources of work for artists.

  • Mass or personalised use depending on the platform.

  • Connection from different parts of the world regardless of the time or location.

  • More universalised access.

  • Use of new specific digital languages.

  • Exploration of new ways of creating.

  • Innovation

  • Possibility of bringing an artistic experience closer to people or groups with difficulties to attend in person.

  • Implementation of the language of the new generations to a general audience.

  • Powerful tool for introvert people, people suffering from social anxiety.

  • Loss of the sensation of the theatrical experience in person (“Is this theatre?”).

  • Challenge to convert some theatrical codes with digital features  (“Is this theatre?”).

  • Tiredness and fatigue due to excessive exposure to screens.

  • Loss of control of audience feedback: loss of attention, use of other platforms in parallel, disengagement due to the mobility allowed by the device.

  • Gap in the use and management of digital platforms by different generations.

  • Difficulty to identify  the digital platform(s) that match or enhance the content of the work.

  • Selection of the appropriate payment platform.

  • Challenge in finding the digital languages that help to provoke or generate emotions/experiences in the spectator.

  • Challenge in the selection of the content to work on or create.

  • Risk to simply adapt “traditional” theatre work into a digital context instead of create digitally-native theatre.
Pilot experiences
Whatsapp

  • Diversity of the platform’s own resources: Chat, video call, audios, videos, photographs, etc.

  • Diversity of own codes that nurture the theatricality (script, conflict, characterisation): emojis, memes, gifs, stickers, waiting times, response times, profile picture, delete or include people, statuses, audio playback speed, among others.

  • Durability: The work can be developed as a one-off experience or for a longer period of time (more than one day).

  • Engagement: It enables audience participation in different formats (forum, debate, reaction, evaluation, etc.).

  • Technical difficulties: internet connection, computer or mobile problems, problems with the app.

  • Technical requirements: Since the app is associated with a mobile phone, it is necessary to have a device exclusively for this use. If you use your own mobile phone and do not want to lose your personal account, you must download another app that allows you to have two accounts on the same device (Parallel Space) or download the Whatsapp Business option.

  • Privacy: In the case of Whatsapp groups, there may be a lack of control and safeguarding of participants’ telephone numbers.

  • Aesthetics: Identify resources to give theatricality to the performance.

  • Time limit: In the case of involving audience participation, there may be difficulty in controlling the timing of the theatrical experience.
Pilot experiences
Zoom

  • Diversity of the platform’s own resources: chat (private or group messages), multiple screens, screen sharing, screen hiding, whiteboard, sound, backgrounds and filters, mute or activate microphones, rooms and groups, file and document sharing.

  • The Zoom facility on the mobile gives freedom of camera use in relation to movement, zooming in, zooming out, moving around.

  • Scenario and script: because the platform uses the camera, it allows to create and display different scenarios.

  • The use and combination of different platforms and software allows the use of different artistic languages.

  • Being able to witness and see the theatrical action, which in turn is happening live (synchronous), is closer to the feeling of face-to-face theatre.

  • Technical difficulties: internet connection, computer or mobile problems, problems with the app.

  • Technical requirements: Requires the purchase of a licence to use some of its tools in order to spend more than 40 minutes on it.

  • The first time it is used as a guest, the app must be downloaded and installed.

  • Distraction factors: In case the audience has their camera or microphone enabled, it can be a distracting factor.

  • Privacy and security risks: Video recordings that are stored on Zoom servers are not protected. Easy access to hackers, among others

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Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.

European Commission’s support for the production of this content does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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