BEASTS: Dual Perspectives on Virtual Puppetry through Theatrical Expression and XR Research
Abstract
We bring both theatrical and theoretical perspectives to “virtual puppetry”—exploring how individuals shape their digital representations and, in turn, how these digital representations influence them. We feature BEASTS, an autofictional live digital puppetry performance by Scarlett Kim with the Center for Unclassifiable Technologies and Experiences, developed in partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Stanford University. Kim, joined by researchers from the Stanford Virtual Human Interaction Lab, will showcase how XR technology and narrative dramaturgy intersect in BEASTS, while uncovering the empirical questions it raises on embodiment. Through a live demo, we showcase how the performer creates digital representations that resembles and later on transcends their physical identity. In turn, we engage with scientific evidence demonstrating that digital representations, when extending beyond mere physical mirroring, can actively influence their creator. This interdisciplinary collaboration aims to facilitate exchange between artists and researchers who explore similar topics around embodiment and liveness from different lenses, providing meaningful insights on virtual human experiences and spatial storytelling.