The Digital Stage: Immersive Technology and the Evolution of Contemporary Theater

A Comparative Study of Augmented Reality in Live Performance

Abstract

This article examines the transformative impact of immersive technologies—specifically Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)—on the landscape of contemporary theater. As live performance seeks to remain relevant in a screen-saturated era, practitioners are increasingly integrating digital layers into the physical stage. Through a series of case studies, the research analyzes how these technologies alter the spectator’s sense of "presence" and "liveness." The findings suggest that digital tools do not replace the human performer but rather extend the sensory boundaries of narrative storytelling. This inaugural article for the International Journal of Creative Arts & Performance (IJCAP) provides a critical framework for understanding the hybrid future of the performing arts.