Exploring the Artistic Possibilities of Augmented Reality in An Ark

A few weeks back, I found myself captivated by Sir Ian McKellen as he spun a tale about my life—where I was born, where I grew up, and even when my time would come. Some details were a bit off, but others struck so close to home that it felt like he had insights into my life that I had never shared with anyone. He urged me not to panic, which was a challenge given the intensity of the experience.

As I tried to process this, I turned to find Golda Rosheuvel gazing at me with equal intensity, sharing her own mesmerizing version of the story. Her delivery brought fresh emotions to the forefront, yet it felt rooted in the same deep well of wisdom. Even when Arinzé Kene and Rosie Sheehy took the narrative into darker, more painful territories, making eye contact with them helped me realize they were simply conveying important truths about themselves.

This was part of what I experienced during a recent performance of *An Ark*, a new play by Simon Stephens, directed by Sarah Frankcom, and featuring mixed reality elements from Todd Eckert. Currently running at The Shed in New York City, *An Ark* employs augmented reality glasses to create a mixed reality experience that brings the actors right into your space. This production builds on Tin Drum’s previous experimental works, like *The Life*, where performance artist Marina Abramović interacts with her surroundings, and *Medusa*, which showcased digital architecture through Magic Leap 2 headsets. However, *An Ark* takes a fresh approach, making you feel more like a participant than just an audience member.

Before the show kicked off, I, along with a few dozen others, had no idea what to expect. As we settled into a circle in a dimly lit red room, illuminated only by a massive orb above us, the atmosphere shifted. Once we donned our wired mixed reality glasses, the room plunged into darkness, making it hard to see one another. This eerie silence drew our focus to the glowing orb, perfectly positioning us to witness the ethereal cast members of *An Ark* materialize one by one.

McKellen, Rosheuvel, Kene, and Sheehy portray a quartet navigating a liminal space between life and whatever lies beyond. As the audience, you step into their circle as a newcomer, learning that your life story is a tapestry of experiences that resonate with theirs. The characters recount moments from their lives, which grow increasingly specific and intense as the narrative unfolds.

Though the actors aren’t physically present, the minimalist production and lighting design, combined with the MR technology, create the illusion that they are just a few feet away. Frankcom, who has expressed a lack of interest in technology, directed *An Ark* as a traditional theater piece, prioritizing the actors’ performances over elaborate sets. By capturing these performances with a volumetric video system of 52 cameras, she presents them in a way that feels hauntingly immersive, showcasing how technology can redefine the theater experience.

What truly enhances the play’s otherworldly elements is how the MR glasses render each actor, who performed the entire show in a single take. They appear so close and clear that it feels like you could reach out and touch them. Yet, at times, the visuals warp slightly, lending them an uncanny, ghost-like quality that aligns with the show’s themes of mortality.

The emotional climax of *An Ark* hits toward the end of its 47-minute runtime. After sharing their life arcs, the characters left me reflecting on how much of myself I saw in them, and how the aspects that didn’t resonate with me might connect with others in the audience.

As we shuffled out to retrieve our shoes (yes, you have to take them off), I overheard fellow attendees discussing how *An Ark* made them feel part of something greater—not in a religious sense, but through a shared, intimate experience that highlighted our commonalities. It’s rare for me to feel moved by new tech, but *An Ark* demonstrated the profound ways AR can elevate already beautiful art.

*An Ark* is currently showing at The Shed through March 1st.