Using Virtual Reality for "New Clowns"

This paper describes an experimental performance where theater clowns make a show using Virtual Reality (VR) technologies. The classical theater scenery is replaced by a large-scale screen on which 3D models are displayed in real-time, allowing the clowns and the audience to be immersed in highly interactive virtual environments (VEs). We put on a scenario where the clowns and the audience travel over a city and explore a mysterious planet. We describe the software and hardware solutions that we use for the generation of the VE and for the interaction with them. Using VR for new clowns allows the audience to feel new experiences. It gives the theater a new field of investigation. Last but not least, it allows VR to be closer to the people.