Design and evaluation of immersive theatrical experiences for contemporary audiences

Thesis Abstract

The advent of immersive theatrical experiences has transformed traditional stagecraft by emphasizing multisensory engagement, spatial design, and audience participation, yet the principles underpinning effective design and audience response remain underexplored within contemporary theatre scholarship. This study investigates the design elements influencing audience engagement and satisfaction in immersive theatre, aiming to establish best practices for creators and producers to enhance experiential quality and emotional impact. The specific objectives include analyzing spatial configurations that maximize audience immersion, identifying key sensory stimuli that evoke emotional responses, and developing a comprehensive evaluative framework for immersive theatre productions. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study adopts an explanatory sequential approach, integrating qualitative and quantitative methodologies to provide a holistic understanding of immersive experiences. The population comprises adult theatre participants attending immersive productions in metropolitan regions, with a stratified random sample of 150 audience members selected across five different productions. Data collection instruments include standardized questionnaires such as the Immersive Theatre Engagement Scale (ITES), focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews with theatre designers and directors. The questionnaires gather quantitative data on audience perceptions, emotional responses, and overall satisfaction, while qualitative data explore subjective experiences, design intentions, and contextual influences. Data analysis involves multivariate statistical techniques, including factor analysis and multiple regression analysis, to identify salient design variables impacting audience engagement. Thematic analysis is employed on qualitative data to interpret audience narratives and designer insights, providing contextual depth that complements statistical findings. The theoretical framework is anchored in Howard Becker’s Art Worlds theory and the Experience Economy theory, which emphasize collaborative creation and experiential value, respectively, to explicate how immersive design elevates audience participation and emotional resonance. The anticipated findings suggest that specific spatial arrangements—such as decentralization, manipulative use of confined spaces, and interactive staging—significantly enhance feelings of presence and involvement. Sensory stimuli, notably immersive soundscapes, targeted lighting, and tactile elements, are predicted to correlate positively with emotional arousal and satisfaction. The study expects to identify a set of core design principles that can serve as an evaluative tool for practitioners, facilitating the development of immersive experiences that are both innovative and audience-centered. This research contributes to theatre studies by providing an empirically validated framework for designing and assessing immersive experiences, addressing a critical gap in scholarship concerning operationalized design variables and audience psychology. It extends existing literature by systematically linking spatial and sensory elements to audience impact, grounded in robust theoretical and methodological foundations. Practical implications include guidelines for theatre designers, producers, and educators aiming to craft meaningful immersive performances tailored to diverse audiences. In conclusion, the study underscores the importance of intentional spatial and sensory design in creating compelling immersive theatrical environments. It recommends the adoption of the developed evaluative framework for continuous improvement of immersive productions, alongside further research investigating long-term audience retention and the cultural adaptability of immersive theatre. Future studies could explore the integration of emerging technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality to expand immersive possibilities, thereby advancing both academic understanding and practical application in contemporary theatre arts.