“Very Real Imaginary Friends: Immersive Shakespeare, Virtual Reality, and Audience Experience”

D.J. Hopkins

Professor of Theatre, Television, and Film

San Diego State University

Hopkins's current research considers the intersection of Shakespeare Performance and emerging media, especially Virtual Reality (VR). Tracing this dynamic relationship from the beginning of the 19th century, Hopkins asserts that the integration of Shakespeare with new media is at the core of a rich history of adaptation and experimentation. This presentation will focus on the ways in which immersive theatre productions, such as Sleep No More, are representative of the latest developments in Shakespeare Performance, and continue to influence more recent performances, both live and virtual. Hopkins synthesizes various discourses surrounding VR, and emphasizes the role VR performance can play in expanding our understanding of Shakespeare's texts and new media. Hopkins's research underscores Shakespeare Performance as an important site for critical inquiry, one that focuses consideration on the embodied audience — whether live or virtual — and the formation of community.