Open Stages: Software Development for a Virtual Theatre

'Open Stages' provides a resource for designers and has been available on the internet since 2001 at http://www.openstages.co.uk. The project is a software development for a virtual theatre which Dyer developed for educational purposes. It provides a low level, hands on introduction to the material components of theatre; lighting, sound, scenic design, flying systems and scenic devices such as revolves, lifts and tracking. These can all be put together into cues to create simulated stage transformations. In developing the software the questions that Dyer addressed at the outset included whether or not virtual theatre models might be effective as teaching and learning tools; the extent to which virtual theatre models could assist in the development of productions, specifically as a collaborative tool to test production ideas out; and to what extent might a digital version of the theatre design scale model box prove effective in the preparation of stage designs.

Dyer tested the software as a designer in his collaboration with Michael Bogdanov for the Ludlow Festival 2003 productions of ‘The Merchant of Venice’ and ‘The Winter’s Tale’.

'Open Stages' is available as a downloadable demo and can be licensed for a fee. It is currently being used by schools, professional designers and hobbyists. Part of the ongoing development of the research is based on Dyer’s dialogue with users and he is currently working on a studio version to assist students designing for film to understand camera movement and the way camera works as a point-of-view within scenes.