Audience Perception of Hybrid Theatre: A Field Study in Meta-Theatrical Performance

Thesis Abstract

This study investigates audience perception of hybrid theatre, combining live performance with digital augmentation and meta-theatrical devices, in order to understand how contemporary audiences interpret and evaluate hybrid modalities within theatre discourse and practice. The problem addressed concerns inconsistent and evolving audience reception to hybrid forms, where narrative coherence, interactivity, and self-referential theatre may refract traditional dramaturgy; there is a need to systematically map perceptual dimensions that influence engagement, interpretation, and satisfaction. The aim is to elucidate how audience members perceive hybridity in performance, and to identify the factors that mediate perception, including prior theatre experience, media literacy, and contextual cues present in both staging and digital interfaces. Specific objectives are (1) to quantify the relative importance of narrative clarity, interactivity level, and meta-theatrical cues on perceived quality and engagement; (2) to examine how prior exposure to contemporary theatre and digital media correlates with receptivity to hybrid strategies; (3) to explore the interpretive repertoires audiences deploy when analyzing meta-theatrical elements; (4) to develop a conceptual model linking production features to audience evaluation, and (5) to offer actionable recommendations for practitioners and curators to optimize audience experience in hybrid productions. The study draws on a mixed-methods design anchored in reception theory and(s) meta-theatre frameworks, integrating quantitative surveying with qualitative interviews for triangulation. The population comprises adult theatre-goers at four metropolitan venues hosting hybrid productions over a twelve-month period. A stratified random sample of 400 attendees will be recruited post-performance, with subgroups reflecting age, gender, theatre expertise, and digital fluency. Instrumentation includes a structured questionnaire incorporating validated scales for flow, perceived authenticity, and satisfaction, plus items measuring engagement with meta-theatrical cues. In-depth semi-structured interviews will be conducted with 40 participants selected from survey respondents to capture interpretive processes and narrative reconstructions. The study will employ prominence-based content analysis for interview transcripts and thematic analysis to reveal recurring interpretive motifs, guided by Braun and Clarke’s framework. Quantitative data will be analyzed using multiple regression to test hypotheses about predictors of engagement and satisfaction, and ANOVA to examine differences across demographic groups. Model specification will incorporate mediating effects of narrative clarity and meta-theatrical awareness. Reliability and validity will be ensured through pilot testing (N=40), Cronbach’s alpha checks (target ? ? .80 for scales), and factor analyses to confirm construct validity. Ethical considerations include informed consent, anonymity, and sensitivity to potentially disruptive interview contexts. Expected findings anticipate that hybrid theatre perceived as balanced—where digital augmentation enhances narrative meaning without eroding dramaturgic coherence—will yield higher engagement, perceived quality, and satisfaction. Meta-theatrical cues that foreground performance as a construct of theatre itself are expected to correlate with heightened critical reflection but may reduce immersion among attendees with limited prior exposure to contemporary theatre. The analysis should reveal significant moderating effects of digital fluency and prior theatre experience on the relationship between interactivity and perceived authenticity. The study contributes to knowledge by offering an empirically grounded model of audience reception in hybrid performances, bridging theatre studies and media-arts research, and by identifying design parameters that optimize audience satisfaction in hybrid and meta-theatrical environments. The practical implications extend to creators, programmers, and venue managers in curating hybrid repertoire, informing dramaturgical strategies, audience education, and marketing communications. The main conclusion posits that hybrid theatre's success depends on preserving narrative coherence while leveraging meta-theatrical devices to stimulate interpretive agency, with audience education and accessible digital interfaces as critical facilitators. Recommendations include (1) prioritizing transparent storytelling cues and collapsible meta-narrative explanations for broader audiences; (2) designing interactive elements that deepen engagement without fragmenting continuity; (3) offering pre- or post-performance digital briefing materials to acclimate audiences; and (4) developing audience segmentation frameworks to tailor hybrid productions to varying levels of theatre literacy and digital fluency.