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Technologically Groundbreaking Production is Inspired by Marcel Marceau

April 1, 2014

Technologically Groundbreaking Production is Inspired by Marcel Marceau

Marcel Marceau’s alter-ego “Bip” will come to life on stage when Ohio State presents the technologically groundbreaking, collaborative production of “There is No Silence,” a devised new work inspired by the great French mime artist. The series of sketches inspired by the late Marceau, who was in residence at Ohio State in 1995, 1998 and 2001, and received an honorary doctorate in 1999, will be staged April 3-13 in Thurber Theatre, Drake Performance and Event Center.

When Marcel was at Ohio State, the Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design (ACCAD) used motion capture technology to record his selected signature movements. This production marks the first time that recorded archival and real-time motion capture in combination with digital projections have been used to train actors. This set-up helped the Department of Theatre’s MFA actors learn Marceau’s unique pantomimes.

It also marks the first time live motion capture will be used during a large-scale performance at Ohio State. Actors will be fitted with motion capture “markers” and ACCAD’s optical motion capture system will be set up on the stage, where the actors will perform in front of the audience. The actors’ virtual avatars – some that will look like Marceau’s stage character Bip – will be driven by the actor’s movements and will be projected above the stage, interacting with a variety of virtual environments – such as Paris -- based on Marceau’s paintings.

The audience will see both the physical actor on stage and the live motion capture tracking projected on different screens in real time. One of the sketches features a duet of a live actor interacting with a recorded Marceau.

There is No Silence was devised by MFA Acting cohort. Script by Jennifer Schlueter with Max Glenn. Production environment created by Vita Berezina-Blackburn, Alex Oliszewski, Janet Parrott, Tom Heban and Sheri Larrimer. A collaboration between the Department of Theatre and the Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design (ACCAD). Conceived and directed by Jeanine Thompson.

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