Theatrical Voice
© 2022, Jussi Virkkumaa, Saari Residency
A pioneering pilot XR multi-channel sound concept for the theatre arts stage that enables the performer’s agency and the creative expressiveness of the voice.
Keywords: sound design; agency; live data stream; electro-acoustic space; digital instruments; voice amplification and modulation; content creation; affectivity
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Introduction to the concept
Theatrical Voice is an evolving XR multichannel sound concept for the theatre arts stage, designed to give performers greater agency and creative freedom to express themselves through voice and speech in a live performance. The concept is comprised of a set of digital instruments specifically designed for live speech/voice and a multi-channel sound environment both of which can be controlled by live data streams. It enables performers to make creative choices that affect the way they present, position, manipulate and shape their own voice and the designed sound during a live performance.
Motion data, the use of sensors and digital tools can enable a renewed and reimagined stage for theatre arts, allowing a new level of agency. This also applies to the electro-acoustic space that is shared by performers and audience. Potentially, a sensitive sonic environment allows the performer intuitively explore the materiality of the voice and continually construct and reconstruct both their own and the audience's experience
The development of the Theatrical Voice concept has been initiated as part of Hanna Rajakangas' artistic research in the doctoral program of Theatre Academy, Uniarts Helsinki. Ongoing research explores the affectivity of the voice, the agency of the performer, and the practical and artistic intersection of sound designer and performer. Through digital instruments, interfaces created for the performer and tools related to XR, the research will approach and address the research questions related to the above topics.
The four phases of the project in 2022–2023: 1. Two week kick-off workshop in Theatre Academy of Unirts, Helsinki 2.Further development work during the Fall 2022 3.The follow up workshop in Roihupelto Studios of Aalto University 4.First public demo in Aalto Art & Tech Gala in February 2023
Future development and research in 2024: Theatrical Voice concept is currently in its fifth development phase, which will extend the concept into entirely new areas. These include the precise localisation of the performer's voice in a multi-channel digital sound system software, and the use of digital voice and sound analysis data. The concept will evolve through a continuous alternation between technological development and stress testing within the theatre arts stage, performance making processes and related artistic practices. When ready for launch it will be ready to be used and pedagogically learned by performing arts professionals. The concept will also be designed to be economically viable for large and small theatre companies, performing arts freelancers, educational institutions and universities.
Project’s collaborative partner in designing the multi-channel audio is Genelec.
