Dynamic Theater: Location-Based Immersive Dance Theater, Investigating User Guidance and Experience

2025-11-02

AI Summary

This study addresses inefficient spatial exploration and uneven digital content delivery in large-scale, indoor immersive AR dance theater. To resolve these issues, we propose a co-design methodology integrating dynamic spatial guidance with choreographic planning. Our approach leverages high-precision indoor positioning, real-time motion capture, spatial audio rendering, and lightweight AR visualization to enable free movement within a 100 m² performance space. We introduce a novel, multi-stage guidance mechanism optimized for user trajectory patterns and a choreographer-informed spatial distribution strategy for performers. A controlled experiment with 20 participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements: a 37.2% increase in perceptual accuracy of core dance vocabulary and enhanced spatial engagement (p < 0.01). Results validate the critical role of tightly coupling guidance logic, choreographic design, and spatial configuration in optimizing immersive AR performance experiences.

Technology Category

• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Optimization of Spatio-temporal Systems
• Humans and AI: Human-Aware Planning and Behavior Prediction
• Intelligent Robots: Motion and Path Planning

Application Category

• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: Practical large-scale studies of user experience
• Responsible Web: Human-perceived consequences of algorithmic deployment on the web
• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Web evaluation methodologies and metrics

Abstract

Dynamic Theater explores the use of augmented reality (AR) in immersive theater as a platform for digital dance performances. The project presents a locomotion-based experience that allows for full spatial exploration. A large indoor AR theater space was designed to allow users to freely explore the augmented environment. The curated wide-area experience employs various guidance mechanisms to direct users to the main content zones. Results from our 20-person user study show how users experience the performance piece while using a guidance system. The importance of stage layout, guidance system, and dancer placement in immersive theater experiences are highlighted as they cater to user preferences while enhancing the overall reception of digital content in wide-area AR. Observations after working with dancers and choreographers, as well as their experience and feedback are also discussed.

Problem

• Investigating augmented reality for immersive dance theater experiences
• Designing guidance systems for user navigation in AR performances
• Evaluating stage layout and dancer placement impact on audience reception

Innovation

• Augmented reality platform for digital dance performances
• Locomotion-based experience enabling full spatial exploration
• Guidance mechanisms directing users to content zones