Virtual reality and the representation of corporeality in contemporary theater

The subject of the study is the impact of virtual reality (VR) on theatrical practice, the embodiment of the actor and the audience in the context of digital technologies in theater in the 21st century. Virtual reality (VR) opens up new perspectives for studying embodiment, and modern technologies allow us to rethink the boundaries between the embodiment of the actor, the viewer, and the digital space. This article analyzes the influence of VR on theatrical practice and discusses the main philosophical approaches to the concept of embodiment. Particular attention is paid to the phenomenon of the "virtual body," the concept of bodily extension, and the impact of digital reality on the perception of the human body. Examples of theatrical productions that use VR technologies are examined, including performances "The Cage with Parrots" (Gogol Center), "In Search of the Author" (Tyumen Drama Theater), "I Killed the Tsar" (Theater of Nations), and "Biomechanics VR" (New Stage of the Alexandrinsky Theater named after V. E. Meyerhold). The research method includes an analysis of philosophical approaches to the concept of embodiment and the study of examples of theatrical productions utilizing VR technologies. The research methodology entails qualitative analysis based on the interpretation of theatrical practices and their impact on the perception of embodiment. The novelty of the research lies in a comprehensive examination of the phenomenon of the "virtual body" and the concept of bodily extension in the context of virtual reality in theater. The study covers the intersection of technology and art, emphasizing the significance of VR as a tool for transforming the perceptions of artists, performers, and audiences of stage productions. The findings of the research show that virtual reality not only expands the possibilities of theatrical art but also changes traditional notions of embodiment and interaction in theater. The implementation of VR technologies creates unique spaces for interaction between the actor and the audience, opening new horizons for theatrical creativity. The study also analyzes the impact of VR on the emotional and psychological perception of viewers, offering new approaches for creating immersive theatrical productions.

virtual reality, corporality, theatre, digital anthropology, vr-performance, contemporary technologies, immersive, vr-technologies, antropological technologies, audience communication