THEatre ACCELERATOR: New Reality Edition Explores Virtual Theatre

Apples and Orange Arts is currently accepting submissions for the Winter 2022 and Spring 2022 cohorts of THEatre ACCELERATOR: New Reality Edition – an immersive virtual musical theatre development program geared towards developing and distributing musicals on stage and in mixed realities.

Applying the model that accelerates technology start-ups, THEatre ACCELERATOR treats artists as founders, creating an opportunity to interact with experts in the storytelling, production, financing, distribution and business of show business.

In the New Reality Edition, storytellers explore how AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality) can be used to help develop, rehearse and/or distribute musicals. Teams receive technology to assist in their experimentation and investigation along with access to some of the top professionals in the emerging field today.

The two-week long program is conducted virtually, allowing artists from across the globe to participate, and culminates with “Sing Tank” where participants present their projects to theatre and tech industry veterans. Apples and Oranges Arts offers applicants two choices for class dates: Class 1 from February 14th—February 25th, 2022, or Class 2 from May 16th—May 27th, 2022.

Apples and Oranges Arts underwrites all costs for the competitive THEatre ACCELERATOR program, making it free for all participants. Musical theatre writers, composers and lyricists with material and an interest in exploring their shows in new realities should have at least a completed first draft of script, score and music demos to be considered. Applications, as well as additional information about the program, can be found at http://nycoc.org/ta-vr/.

Applications for both classes are due on January 7th, 2022.

How is this cohort different?

THEatre ACCELERATOR has always emphasized utilizing technology to assist and improve the storytelling process, but this cohort is taking that mission one step further putting cutting-edge new reality tools into the hands of our creators to help you discover new ways to develop and share your musicals through virtual theatre experiences.

Technology need not play into your story but will be leveraged throughout the program to help you collaborate, experiment, and create. From playing a concert of your original songs in virtual reality to previewing the latest real-time 3D creation tool, THEatre ACCELERATOR: New Reality Edition is a new take on our already out-of-the-box approach to new work development and virtual theatre.

Read: Silicon Valley Meets Broadway in Apples and Oranges Arts’ THEatre ACCELERATOR

Who is eligible to apply?

Any musical theater writer with at least a first draft of book, music and lyrics that is open to exploring how AR and VR might benefit the continued development and/or production of their show. While it certainly helps, shows are not required to have any previous experience in virtual realities.

Where does THEatre ACCELERATOR Take Place?

THEatre ACCELERATOR is completely virtual, sessions are held using Zoom video conferencing technology. Participants can partake from wherever they choose (with access to the internet).