Search CITT/ICTS

All hours are Atlantic Daylight Time (ADT)

Bridging Theater and Technology:
Enhancing Communication in Scenography through Gaming Software and Virtual Reality

Educational Session

This presentation explores the transformative role of gaming software and virtual reality (VR) in enhancing communication and collaboration within theater design. Traditional scenic design processes often rely on static renderings and physical models, which can limit real-time adaptability and creative dialogue. By integrating immersive digital tools, designers and directors can visualize, adapt, and refine scenic concepts dynamically, fostering a more fluid and interactive design process.

Through case studies and practical demonstrations, this presentation will highlight how VR and gaming engines enable scenographers to create virtual prototypes, simulate lighting and spatial interactions, and facilitate remote collaboration. These technologies not only streamline communication between creative teams but also open new possibilities for audience engagement and interactive storytelling. As digital tools continue to evolve, their integration into theater design offers a powerful means of innovation, efficiency, and artistic exploration.

The objectives of this presentation are:

To demonstrate how VR and gaming engines enhance visualization and spatial understanding.

To explore how these tools facilitate real-time collaboration and feedback between designers and directors.

To highlight how immersive technologies can streamline communication and innovation in scenography.

Presenter: Tatiana Vintu (she/her)

Tatiana Vintu is a scenographer, creator, and experimenter committed to capturing the intangible environments that shape audience experiences. She incorporates the latest trends and innovations in performance design, continually pushing the boundaries of scenographic practice. As an Associate Professor in the School of Theatre & Dance at the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts, University of Houston, Tatiana leads the MFA program in Scenic Design and Technology. Her teaching and design work explores the intersection of form, space, and narrative in contemporary performance.

In addition to her academic role, Tatiana has an extensive professional design portfolio, spanning theater and film productions across Europe, the United States, and Asia. Her designs have been showcased at prestigious events such as the Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space (PQ) and featured at the USITT Conference. Tatiana earned her MFA in Theatre/Production Set Design from Tulane University (New Orleans, Louisiana). She also studied Scenography at the National University of Theatrical and Cinematic Arts (Bucharest, Romania) and received her BFA in Scenography from the Academy of Music, Theatre and Visual Arts (Chisinau, Moldova). Recently, she has served as the Head Curator for the USITT Exhibit at the Prague Quadrennial 2023, having previously curated the USITT Prague Quadrennial 2019 and Innovative Costume of the 21st Century: The Next Generation 2019.