Design and Evaluation of Interactive Virtual Reality Theatre Experiences

Thesis Abstract

The rapid advancement of virtual reality (VR) technology has expanded the possibilities for immersive and interactive theatrical experiences, yet limited empirical research has systematically evaluated the design principles and audience reception of such innovations within the theatre arts domain. This study addresses the necessity to bridge the gap between technological potential and artistic implementation by examining the design, development, and user experience of interactive VR theatre productions. The primary aim is to develop a comprehensive framework for designing engaging VR theatre experiences and to evaluate their impact on audience engagement, emotional response, and perceived realism. Specific objectives include (1) identifying key design elements that enhance interactivity and immersion in VR theatre, (2) designing a prototype VR theatre experience based on identified principles, and (3) empirically evaluating user experience and engagement using quantitative and qualitative methods. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study involved the development of a VR theatre prototype informed by existing literature on experiential design, participatory theatre, and human-computer interaction theories, including the Flow Theory and the Telepresence Theory. The population consisted of 120 theatre enthusiasts and VR users aged 18-40 from a metropolitan area, with a stratified random sampling technique used to select a sample of 80 participants. Data collection instruments included structured questionnaires measuring engagement, emotional arousal, and perceived realism, alongside semi-structured interviews exploring user perceptions and preferences. Validity and reliability of the instruments were ensured through expert review and pilot testing, achieving Cronbach’s alpha coefficients above 0.85. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, repeated measures ANOVA to examine differences in engagement and emotional responses pre- and post-experience, and thematic analysis for qualitative interview data, with NVivo software facilitating coding. Expected findings indicate significant increases in audience engagement and emotional involvement when interactive design elements such as choice-driven narratives, real-time environmental manipulation, and avatar customization are incorporated. The study anticipates that higher levels of perceived realism and telepresence will correlate positively with emotional arousal and overall satisfaction. These outcomes are expected to substantiate the importance of specific design features in enhancing the efficacy of VR theatre which, in turn, contributes to the broader understanding of interactive design principles and audience psychology within digital arts contexts. The findings will offer practical insights for theatre practitioners, VR developers, and educators seeking to optimize immersive storytelling techniques. This research contributes novel empirical evidence to the limited body of knowledge on interactive VR theatre, offering a validated set of design guidelines founded on user-centered evaluation data. It underscores the importance of integrating artistic vision with technological affordances to create compelling immersive theatre experiences. The study advocates for a multidisciplinary approach, combining insights from theatre arts, human-computer interaction, and media psychology, to inform future innovations in digitally mediated performance arts. The main conclusion emphasizes that deliberate design choices rooted in interactive and experiential theory significantly enhance audience engagement and emotional response in VR theatre. Recommendations include adopting iterative design processes driven by user feedback, prioritizing realism and interactivity to foster deeper presence, and expanding research to diverse cultural contexts and theatrical genres. Further studies are suggested to investigate long-term effects on audience perceptions, extend prototype testing across different demographic groups, and explore the integration of emerging VR technologies such as haptic feedback and eye-tracking to push the boundaries of virtual theatrical performance.