The impact of new technologies on theatre & costume

To begin with, since our project concerns the presentation and the dissemination to a wider public of costumes via technological means we intend this paper to be a recording of the link between costume, stage design and technology. We will trace the theatrical innovations concerning stage and costume design triggered by the new technologies, but also by ideas which shaped new social perceptions. We will begin by referring to artists regarded as pioneers at their time who used new technologies and ideologies to change the notion of the theatre at their time. We will mostly concentrate on theatre directors and stage designers who were active at the turn of the 20th century when the technology of electrical lightning completely revolutionized everyday life triggering, also, various artistic innovations. We will then pass on to digital revolution in recent years arguing that internet has, also, been a technology which has completely changed lives in the whole world and has recently been utilized in theatrical performances. Moreover, as the pandemic has altered our perspective about the co-presence of actors and public, the digital space has become an even more welcoming theatrical “stage”. By studying these different artists and performances we will argue that theatre is and always will be a mirror of human activity and an indispensable part of its history. In addition, as costume always participates in the theatrical act, we will ascertain that there have not been made essential efforts for it to be preserved and disseminated through technology to wide audiences. Technology seems to be used for live performances, which reach out to already existing audiences. Whereas, our project’s aim is to widespread the importance of theatrical costumes to new younger audiences, either for educational or artistic projects.