Off-Theatre: The Transformation of Performance Spaces in The Context of Thai Theatre Sound Designer Following The COVID-19 Pandemic.

Abstract

The performing arts industry, particularly the Thai theatre industry, has had to adapt significantly to the changing era and lifestyles of people. Primarily reliant on the “physical spaces” of performances, artists and theatre production must now find innovative and new spaces such as “virtual spaces” or “online” to help overcome this crisis caused by the pandemic of COVID-19.

The author has observed changes in the performance area while working as a composer and sound designer for Thai theatre. This article discusses the role of sound in stage plays and the significance of sound designers. As a result, the process of creating musical works has evolved. This is evident in the authors' case studies in sound design and music creation in the performing arts field which includes the following works:

1)      MEAN Sitcom World (A Musical theatre for fan meet event)

2)      ผู้ต้องขังหญิง: อาญาสตรี-อาญาชีวิต (A theatre work as a film-stage production)

3)      180 Degree Longitude Passes Though Us (Television series)

4)    Theatre To Go - Live Experiences Box (A theatre work in Augmented Reality platform)

Changes in the performance area following the COVID-19 pandemic situation revealed that the performing arts have moved into a performance space that is not limited to "Physical space," but can artfully enter "Virtual space" or "online" world. It would be very interesting to see what happens in the future, such as how the theater production procedure and direction will provide the audience with an immersive experience of the show, as well as how it will affect my creative work as a Thai theatre composer and sound designer.