A brave new world in live performance comes to campus

The highlight of the festival is its double-feature performance of “The Future of Memory” by Troika Ranch and “Falling Up” by Todd Winkler and Cindy Cummings on April 4 at 8 p.m. in Stuart Theatre. The program combines dance, music and theater – then adds a digital component, using movement-sensing systems that allow performers to direct and control a backdrop of video screens.

by Mary Jo Curtis

Audiences will get a preview of the future of stage performance when the University’s arts departments present their seventh annual Festival of Art and Technology, “Video, Technology and Performance,” April 4-6.

The highlight of the festival is its double-feature performance of “The Future of Memory” by Troika Ranch (left) and “Falling Up” by Todd Winkler and Cindy Cummings on April 4 at 8 p.m. in Stuart Theatre. The program combines dance, music and theater – then adds a digital component, using movement-sensing systems that allow performers to direct and control a backdrop of video screens.

Winkler, the festival’s director, is excited about the performers and participants in the weekend program, which focuses on the creative multidisciplinary use of video projection and emerging technology in theatrical performances. On April 5 the festival features lectures and performances by innovators and pioneers in dance and theater.

“These are people who are tops in the field, and I’m thrilled we have them coming,” Winkler said. The event will foster an exchange of ideas, with specialists discussing artistic concepts, set design, motion capture, computer animation, interactive sound, sensing systems and live video processing, he added.

The April 5 events include:

• “Sensing Systems, Sound and Image,” 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Grant Recital Hall; featuring Chris Salter, Todd Winkler, Cindy Cummings, Marc Coniglio and Dawn Stoppiello of Troika Ranch, and Joe Paradiso

• “ Theatrical Projection and Design,” 2 to 3:30 p.m., Carriage House Theatre, 7 Duncan Ave.; featuring Aaron Jungles (Everett Dance Theatre) performing “Angel on My Shoulder,” Kristin Marting, Bill Morrison and Laurie Olinder

• “ Interactivity and Motion Capture,” 4 to 5:30 p.m., Grant Recital Hall; with Curtis Bahn and Tomie Hahn performing “Pikapika,” Paul Kaiser and Toni Dove

“Video, Technology and Performance” concludes April 6 with what Winkler describes as “a think tank session” for festival participants. All other events are free and open to the public.

The festival is sponsored by the Department of Theatre, Speech and Dance, the Department of Music, the Creative Arts Council and the Lawton Wehle Fitt '74 Artists-in-Residence program. For further information visit the festival Web site.