Cutting-Edge Theatre and Creative Tech with Civic Digits and David Oxley

Creative Coathanger trustee Jules Horne has been taking part in theatre company Civic Digits’ ‘Lightbulb’ programme on data, AI and creative tech.

The 12-part programme was a chance to explore the emerging field of data-driven theatre with pioneers working at the intersection of performance and data.

The programme was run by Civic Digits’ Artist Director, playwright Clare Duffy, together with hacker and inventor Rupert Goodwins, who famously hacked HRH Prince Philip’s computer in his teenage years, and whose story features in The Big Data Show.

Topics covered included creative applications, of data in theatre, developing projects, and implications for inclusivity, accessibility and security. There was also an opportunity to try Civic Digits’ innovative Swish app, which allows people in the audience to contribute to the show through polls and text.

Civic Digits’ Lightbulb has also begun to offer creative tech training, with a first workshop in collaboration with artist and creative technologist David Oxley at CodeBase in Edinburgh.

It was brilliant to see the Raspberry Pi 5 in action in David Oxley’s amazing work, try out interactive apps, and meet others working with creative technology in the arts, including musician Dr Shama Rahman, who uses Imogen Heap’s mi.mu gloves in storytelling and performance with sitar and electronic instruments.