Sharing a World With AI: Can Technology Like AI be Reliable, Creative Collaborators in Drama Schools and Acting Training?

 

On 11 May 1997, the world of chess witnessed a groundbreaking event. Russian grandmaster and world champion Gary Kasparov lost a historic match, leading him to cry foul play and accuse his opponent of cheating—a not uncommon reaction. However, what was extraordinary about this match was the victor: IBM’s supercomputer Deep Blue. A few months later, in the same year, a musical version of this match played out in an acting workshop at the University of Oregon. Dr. Steve Larson, a musician, competed with a computer program called EMI (Experiments in Musical Intelligence) to compose in the style of Johann Sebastian Bach. The competition featured three entries: one by Bach, one by Dr. Larson, and one by EMI. To Dr. Larson’s dismay, he lost, and the audience believed that EMI’s composition was genuine Bach.

Twenty-five years later, complex algorithms are an inseparable part of our lives. They guide our choices in music, partners, and investments, and navigate data with greater precision than humans. Given their capacity to create content—sometimes bizarre—could they also serve as creative collaborators in acting training and drama schools?

Theatre-makers, including those in acting colleges, have been exploring the intersection of technology and storytelling long before the pandemic forced uncomfortable conversations about performing in the absence of physical presence. In 2019, prior to the global pandemic and before the term ‘digital theatre’ became widespread, I experienced a tech-forward performance that left a lasting impression. It was a documentary theatre piece by Silke Huysmans (Brazil) & Hannes Dereere (Belgium), where the performers stood on stage, their heads perpetually bent over their phones. These phones were connected to massive screens, through which the entire 60-minute performance was mediated. The show, titled Pleasant Island, depicted the story of the people of Nauru, a Micronesian nation devastated by colonization and modern imperialism, with its people now relying on their phones as their only connection to the world. This performance in acting colleges and workshops, where no words were spoken and no eye contact was made, remains one of the most emotionally resonant and innovative pieces I have ever seen.

The Age of AI in Acting Colleges and Drama Schools

Following the pandemic, many artists, including those from acting schools, were eager to move away from Zoom-based performances. While Zoom theatre may be waning, the innovative use of technology in storytelling continues to evolve rapidly. In earlier times, theatre was an aural tradition, with audiences attending plays during the day in natural light. Over time, as artificial lighting transformed theatre, new avenues for staging and storytelling emerged, leading to today’s performances where audiences “watch” rather than just “hear” a play.

Artists across various mediums, especially in acting training workshops and drama schools, are pushing the boundaries of technology to enhance storytelling. During the pandemic, the recording of Complicite’s The Encounter showcased how technology could extend human capabilities in theatre. Using binaural microphones, audience headphones, and stunning LED visuals, the lone actor created a captivating experience that asked profound questions about progress and its possibilities.

As AI, particularly Generative AI, becomes increasingly prevalent, the performing arts are not left behind. In 2022, the Future Fantastic festival in Bangalore, organized by Jaaga’s BeFantastic (India) and Future Everything (UK), brought together artists experimenting with AI. Kamya Ramchandran, the creative director of Jaaga, emphasized the importance of engaging with AI to push artistic boundaries, which was evident in the AI-driven projects showcased at the festival. These ranged from AI-generated backdrops for dance performances to improve shows where performers were fed AI-generated dialogue.

AI in Acting Training and Drama Schools

Gaurav Singh Nijjer, a deviser and performer from New Delhi, works with technology in various projects, including those in acting colleges, using tools like projection mapping and Generative AI. While he acknowledges that AI may not yet produce exceptional content on its own, he has found creative ways to integrate AI as a collaborator in his work. In Kaivalya Plays’ Absurdo, an AI-generated voiceover creates an eerie atmosphere, while in The Shunya Project, video and projections serve as visual companions to the actors.

One of the performances at the Future Fantastic festival, ClimateProv, involved a new AI member joining a troupe of human improvisers. While the AI’s responses varied, ranging from verbal inputs to AI-generated images, the performers had to stay sharp, ready to adapt to the AI’s output. This experiment in AI-driven improvisation underscores the potential for technology to be a valuable, if unpredictable, creative partner in acting workshops and training sessions.

The Ethical Considerations of AI in Drama Schools

The use of AI in drama schools and acting colleges raises important ethical questions, particularly regarding its environmental impact. AI’s energy consumption, driven by massive data servers, contributes to climate change. This concern is especially relevant for performers and educators who are mindful of their environmental footprint while embracing technological advancements in their creative processes.

In conclusion, as AI continues to permeate the world of theatre and acting training, drama schools and beyond are at the forefront of exploring the potential and ethical implications of these new technologies. The journey is ongoing, but it is clear that AI can be a reliable, if complex, creative collaborator in the evolving landscape of performing arts.