Encore: Curtain Up - What’s Next for Theatre Arts

2026-06-11 · Source: Where What If Becomes What's Next · Field: Education & Learning — Educational Technology (EdTech), Academic Research & Higher Education, K-12 Education & Child Development · Depth: Novice, extended

Summary

Carnegie Mellon University's "Encore: Curtain Up - What's Next for Theatre Arts" podcast episode was re-released to celebrate Freddie Hendricks winning the 2026 Excellence in Theatre Education Award and CMU alumni earning a record 15 Tony nominations at the 79th Tony Awards. The episode features interviews with Kyle Haden, Senior Associate Head at CMU's School of Drama, and Roshunda Jones-Koumba, the 2022 Excellence in Theatre Education Award winner. They explore the evolving role of new technologies, including robots, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality, in theatre arts education and production. Haden notes theatre's deliberate human inefficiency but sees technology as a valuable supplement for training and creating immersive experiences. Jones-Koumba emphasizes arts education's crucial role in developing empathy, resilience, and essential life skills, advocating for its recognition as a core subject despite persistent funding struggles. Both educators underscore the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration between arts and STEM disciplines.

Key takeaway

For theatre educators and creative technologists developing future curricula, recognize that integrating AI, robots, and virtual reality can enhance immersive experiences and accessibility without compromising the essential human element of live performance. Focus on teaching students to view technology as a creative partner and a tool for interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring they develop both artistic skills and the adaptability needed for diverse media. Prioritize arts education as a core discipline, advocating for its role in fostering empathy and critical life skills.

Key insights

Theatre arts education is evolving by integrating technology while preserving human connection and fostering essential life skills.

Principles

• Arts education cultivates empathy and essential life skills.
• Technology should supplement, not replace, human theatrical interaction.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration between arts and STEM is vital.

In practice

• Integrate AI, robots, and VR for immersive experiences.
• Use AI for accessibility, like generating subtitles.
• Experiment with high-tech and low-tech production solutions.

Topics

• Theatre Education
• AI in Arts
• Virtual Reality
• Interdisciplinary Arts
• Performing Arts Technology
• Arts Advocacy

Best for: Creative Technologist, Domain Expert, AI Ethicist

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Where What If Becomes What's Next.