Rose Bruford College, a performance and production institution, has announced the launch of its XR Stage. The stage, which is part of the college's £1.9 million funding from a capital grant from the Office for Students, was officially opened last week, in partnership with White Light.
Acting Principal Professor Mary Oliver, who herself is a pioneer of immersive and digital performance, welcomed the audience to the launch event. Professor Oliver spoke at the opening and highlighted the significant upgrades of existing lighting, audio, and IT systems, made possible by the funding from the Office for Students. “This future facing investment follows in the College’s long history of being the first in the field to develop innovative degree level technical courses, we are the only Drama School in the UK with this resource currently, and demonstrates our understanding of how the theatre crafts are expanding into a wide range of media production sectors”.
The launch of the XR Stage is designed to provide students with the opportunity to explore new forms of performance and storytelling in a fully immersive and interactive environment. It will equip graduates with the skills and experience they need to succeed in the media and entertainment industry. The facility will be used for training and research development, and both live and recorded events, making it a resource for both students and the wider community.
The XR Stage uses White Light’s SmartStage technology, integrating film and broadcast technologies into a system that meets the College’s bespoke needs and budget requirements today while being reconfigurable in future. White Light became Rose Bruford’s partner to deliver the stage after a rigorous tender process.