Bringing Theater to Life: Engaging Young Audiences with AI Technology

Imagine walking into a theater, not just to watch a performance, but to actually engage in a conversation with the characters on stage—before they even enter. As theater companies grapple with the challenge of captivating younger audiences, a compelling question looms large: Could allowing kids to interact with characters virtually help ignite their curiosity and draw them into the world of live theater, keeping the art form from fading into obscurity?

This thought first struck me a few years ago while I was volunteering as a Big Brother. I took a group of kids to the California Academy of Sciences, hoping they'd be mesmerized by the aquarium exhibit's vibrant fish and marine life.

To my surprise, as the kids sprinted from tank to tank, they barely glanced at the actual fish. Instead, their attention was immediately captured by the interactive digital interfaces beside each exhibit. They eagerly explored the screens, diving into videos and trivia, and only after exhausting their curiosity on these digital displays did they finally peer into the tanks—almost as if it were a perfunctory afterthought.

At first, I was baffled and, admittedly, a bit annoyed. Why were they more fascinated by digital screens than by the living, breathing creatures swimming right in front of them? But then it dawned on me: This is how today's kids are wired to interact—with screens, digital interfaces, and technology that provides instant feedback and engages their senses in a familiar and comfortable way. It wasn't a lack of interest in the real world; it was a preference for the medium through which they experience it. The dopamine rush of navigating a touchscreen, the familiar thrill of digital interactivity—this is their reality.

Give the Kids What They Want

So, what does this have to do with live theater?

We must meet young audiences on their turf to truly captivate them. This realization presents a tremendous opportunity for theater companies, especially those already invested in community and youth outreach programs. By harnessing AI technology, such as custom GPTs, theaters could allow young audiences to interact with characters from their shows, sparking a newfound interest that aligns with their digital upbringing.

Take, for example, Berkeley Repertory Theater’s recent world premiere of "Galileo," a musical that explores the fascinating and multifaceted life of the renowned astronomer. Now, imagine if, as part of their youth outreach, Berkeley Rep had allowed kids to interact with an AI version of Galileo himself. They could engage in conversations with him, ask probing questions, challenge his ideas, or even, in today’s lingo, "talk smack" to him. And what if kids could also interact with Galileo’s adversary, the head of the clergy who condemned his revolutionary findings as heretical?

Through AI, these interactions could become deeply personal and engaging, revealing layers of character and human emotion that transcend the boundaries of the stage.

Picture a moment when a child asks Galileo about his dreams or if he ever felt the sting of being misunderstood by his critics. Galileo, in turn, could ask the child about their own experiences of feeling misunderstood.

Now, here's the kicker:

Imagine Galileo and the Clergy locked in real-time debates, giving young audiences a front-row seat to one of history's most intense philosophical and scientific conflicts. With AI, these characters could be programmed to engage dynamically, delving deeper into their arguments and inviting the audience—significantly younger viewers—to mediate, choose sides, or even attempt to reconcile the opposing viewpoints.

If forcing kids to break up a virtual playground dustup between historical giants doesn’t captivate them, what will?

Here's How It Works

This isn't just whimsical speculation. AI technology could leverage custom GPT models trained on the script, character backstories, and relevant historical or thematic context, allowing young audiences to engage in real-time conversations with characters. Additionally, natural language processing (NLP) algorithms could interpret user input, adapting responses to maintain character integrity and ensuring immersive, contextually appropriate interactions. Augmented reality (AR) and voice recognition technologies could further enhance these experiences by integrating visual and auditory elements, making virtual interactions with characters feel even more lifelike and engaging.

The possibilities here are practically endless. By creating these interactive experiences, theaters could forge a deeper connection with young audiences and their productions. The excitement generated by these interactions could draw kids into the theater, much like the interactive displays drew them to the aquarium tanks. This isn’t just about augmenting the performance; it's about transforming the entire theater-going experience into something richer, more engaging, and—dare I say—irresistible.

Roxie AI: Exploring AI's Dangers Through AI – How Ironic

Consider Roxie AI (www.roxieai.com), a cutting-edge musical theater production designed around this very concept. Roxie AI allows audiences to engage directly with characters from the show, uncovering backstories, fears, dreams, and hidden motivations.

While the central theme of Roxie AI delves into how AI, augmented reality, and deep fakes have blurred the lines of reality and made us question what it means to be human, a compelling sub-theme emerges around the scars left by suboptimal parenting. Each main character carries the weight of these wounds—whether from parents who exploit their children's success for financial gain, live vicariously through them, or neglect their emotional needs. These dysfunctional dynamics ripple through the characters' lives, fueling their quest for identity and belonging in an increasingly artificial world.

Imagine a young theatergoer engaging in a personalized, interactive conversation with a character, uncovering their secret childhood trauma or a pivotal decision that altered their path. This deeper connection could transform a passive viewing experience into an active journey of exploration and empathy, allowing the audience to see the performance through a new, more intimate lens.

Ultimately, we go to the theater to discover truths about ourselves, and there's no more profound catalyst for that self-discovery than a deeply personal conversation with a character who reflects our innermost thoughts and fears.

And, of course, there are safety mechanisms in place. Should a conversation ever veer into inappropriate or undesirable territory, AI can be programmed with built-in guardrails to ensure it stays on track, subtly steering the interaction back to a safe, constructive path.

David Collier, a leading AI developer at Google, who began his career creating language learning applications and sophisticated chatbots, is captivated by the potential: “We can use interactive AI technology to immerse youth in theater in ways that were never before possible. We’re not just putting on a show; we’re reimagining theater itself, ushering in a new way to engage audiences and entice them to experience live performances.”

Kikue Yamazaki, another innovative AI designer, adds: “We’ve come a long way since Burger King’s Subservient Chicken,” referencing the quirky early 2000s campaign that allowed users to command a costumed chicken online. “Today, with custom GPTs, we have the potential to revolutionize modern theater, giving young audiences a chance to engage directly with the characters and stories in ways we never thought possible.”

Using AI Technology to Transform Theater

The future of theater lies at the intersection of tradition and technology. By embracing interactive AI, theater companies can create a bridge between the digital world that today’s kids are so comfortable in and the magical, immersive world of live performance. In doing so, they capture the imagination of a new generation and nurture a lifelong love of theater—one interactive, engaging conversation at a time.

Musicals like Roxie AI are not just about preventing theater from fading into irrelevance—they’re about evolving and enriching the art form itself. By integrating technology from the ground up, theater companies can leverage community outreach and youth education programs to ensure that theater doesn’t just survive but thrives and flourishes in a digital age.

And who knows? Perhaps one day soon, instead of merely watching a play, audiences might find themselves sparring with Shakespeare, arguing with Aristotle, or challenging Einstein, all from the comfort of their theater seats. The possibilities, as they say, are endless.