Various techniques for enhancing Virtual Play Readings are being developed and deployed rapidly, resulting in fascinating new forms. Theatre Artists are encouraged to explore all possibilities. If a Playwright and Director prefer enhancement over simplicity, the opportunities are limitless.
It is important to be mindful that as with In-person Readings, enhancements are not necessarily improvements, and it’s often best not to overload the Reading with effects. An unadorned Reading following the model proposed in this guide, with a few carefully selected enhancements may best serve the Playwrights’ needs by allowing the writer and the Audience to hear the Play and focus on the Actors. If the writing is strong, the Actors are prepared, and the Director’s work is clear and specific, most Audiences will embrace simplicity.
Unless all of the Actors are using the same technical enhancements, the results will be inconsistent, and the Actors can appear to be in different Plays.
In Rehearsal, Directors can explore positioning the Actors at various distances from the camera for dramaturgically purposeful effects. A wider take when recording will provide more options for the Video Editor in post-production.
Directors may choose for Actors to angle their focus left or right in an effort to play a scene to a fellow Actor. But most online platforms can’t control the placement of Actors on-screen, so this would need to be addressed in rehearsal and post-production.
The use of an important prop is acceptable, but the handing off of props from one character to another can pose challenges and require additional post-production work.
Tripods and phone mounts can help with device placement.
Virtual backgrounds, green screens and realistic locations may be considered, and Actors can even move from room to room, but these enhancements are rarely essential. As with public Play Readings, neutral backgrounds put the focus squarely on the Playwright’s words and the Actor’s performances.
Ring lights can considerably improve how an Actor is lit, but Actors should not be required to buy equipment to participate in a Virtual Reading, and again, consistency is crucial.
Portable audio recorders, external microphones, podcast mics and wireless earbuds with high quality mics may be explored to improve sound quality. But again, no one needs to purchase equipment, and the sound quality should be as consistent as possible for all of the Actors. Large headphones are visually distracting and should be avoided.
Not hearing a live audience's response is one of the principal drawbacks of Online Readings in New Play Development. Some new work, such as language-based Plays, dramas and shorter pieces are better suited to Virtual Play Readings than others. While it’s possible to allow audience members to be part of a live Virtual Reading, risks are involved, usually involving ambient noise. Most audiences accept that the Reading is being performed virtually, and that Actors and audience are not in a shared space.