I chose an article called, “Presence in Front of the Forth Wall of Cyberspace,” by Monika Wunderer at http://www.hayseed.net/MOO/roleaud.htm. This article discusses the forth wall in theatre which as Wunderer describes it is the, “separation between the stage and the auditorium.” This wall is what separates the actors and the audience. Monika Wunderer discusses how this wall allows the audience and the actors to participate jointly but also allows them to remain separated. As they noted, “contrary to film or TV, theatre is an interactive medium that demands synchronous actions.” Because theatres are so interactive it makes one wonder if online performances are just as enjoyable as those in person. Monika Wunderer goes on to discuss how performances have been done in text bases IRC and MOO and CU-See Me Video conferencing online. While Wunderer believes these bases are a new extension to the theatre . Wunderers quickly notes that the, “Audience brings life to the theatre space. In the present state for the development of Internet theatre, what we really need from the audience is their presence.” I think Wunderer feels that while we can change the face of theatre and where it is produced but that sometimes staying with the formula we already have is better than trying to change it.
April P.
