• Details
  • Parking & Access

Details

This event is part of the Artful Intelligence Season and is brought to you by the the Humanities Cultural Programme, one of the founding stones for the future Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities.

A discussion of the current and future uses of AI and immersive technology in theatre and performance with Sarah Ellis, RSC Director of Digital, Alison Humphrey, PhD candidate in mixed-reality media arts, Ruthie Doyle, multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker and Dan Tucker, Immersive Producer & Curator. Chaired by TORCH Director, Prof Wes Williams.

Speakers

Sarah Ellis is an award-winning producer currently working as Director of Digital Development for the Royal Shakespeare Company to explore new artistic initiatives and partnerships. The latest partnership for the RSC is the Audience of the Future Live Performance Demonstrator funded by Innovate UK – a consortium consisting of arts organisations, research partners and technology companies to explore the future of performances and real-time immersive experiences.

Alison Humphrey plays with story across drama, digital media, and education. Since starting out as an intern at Marvel Comics, she has directed classical and live-mocapped interactive theatre, produced alternate reality games, and written transmedia television. A PhD candidate (ABD) based at York University’s Immersive Storytelling Lab, her research-creation project Shadowpox: The Cytokine Storm is a “citizen science fiction” mixed-reality storyworld co-created with young people on three continents, imagining immunization through a superhero metaphor.

Ruthie Doyle is an artist and filmmaker based in Los Angeles. Since 2013 they have worked with the Sundance Institute’s New Frontier program team, which supports and exhibits artists working at the convergence of film, art, media and technology at the Sundance Film Festival, as well as year-round via Labs and residencies.

Dan Tucker is a freelance Executive Producer with 20 years experience of working in digital – from public programming in the arts and technology to broadcast television, with a specialism in interactive and immersive media.                            Some of Dan’s previous work include: VR Producer @ BBC; Judge/Mentor @ CreativeXR, BAFTA, British Council & Creative England; Executive Producer @ BBC Arts & Arts Council England – ‘New Creatives’. Current engagements: Executive Producer for ‘In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats’ (VR) @ East City Films and Executive Producer of ‘Immersive Assembly’ (artist residency) @ Mediale

Wes Williams is the Director of TORCH, Professor of French Literature at the University of Oxford, and also a Fellow in Modern Languages at St Edmund Hall. His main research interests are in the field of Renaissance studies; the critical study of genre and subjectivity; and the intersection of theory and practice in the literary, political, religious, and professional cultures of the early modern period. He also works on contemporary theory and film.

Parking & Access

Parking

There are a number of Blue Badge parking spaces nearby on Beaumont Street, and more on New Inn Hall Street and St Giles.

The closest car park is Gloucester Green Car Park, accessed via Gloucester Street.

If you have any questions or concerns, the City Council’s Access Officer can be reached at 01865 249811.

Getting here

We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint, but we need your help. Use ecoway, our sustainable travel planner, to see the most eco-friendly options for your journey to Old Fire Station, and plan a bespoke and flexible route. ecoway is easy to use and you’ll be kept up to date with any disruption or changes to your journey plan.

Car parks in Oxford Blue Badge information Public transport in Oxford

Access

Disabled patrons are eligible for one free companion ticket with their booking. To book this, contact the ticket office: tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk or 01865 263990.

There are two entrances to the Old Fire Station: 40 George Street via the foyer, and on Gloucester Green via the shop. Both are step-free. If you are coming to a show, we ask that you use the George Street entrance, as the Gloucester Green entrance is not always open.

Events in the Theatre

There is level entry to the foyer of the Old Fire Station, and step-free access to the main Theatre (where most shows take place).

If you are a wheelchair user attending a sit-down show, space will be reserved for you. If you are attending a standing gig, please contact us (call the ticket office on 01865 263990 or e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk) and we will talk with you about your needs.

Events in the Studio

There is level entry into the foyer of the Old Fire Station, and step-free access to the Studio.

Events in the Loft

There are six steps leading up to the Loft space, with no lift. If you would like to discuss this to find out more, please get in touch.

The Gallery

There is step-free access to the Gallery – level entry through the George Street entrance, and via lift from the Gloucester Green entrance.

Facilities

Accessible toilet
There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor, accessible via platform lift. Other toilets are in the basement (accessible via lift).

Hearing assistance system
The Theatre is equipped with a hearing assistance system. If you have any questions about using it, please e-mail us at tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk or phone 01865 263980.

Assistance dogs
All types of assistance and guide dogs are welcome at the Old Fire Station. It would be great if you could let us know in advance if you will be bringing a working dog to any performances – just e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk.

Strobe lighting
We will warn visitors on the website and in the foyer of the venue if a performance is going to contain strobe lighting. If lighting affects you, and you have any concerns, please call the ticket office on 01865 263990 or e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk.

Chairs in the theatre
Our chairs are a standard dining-chair size, measuring 40cm deep by 37cm wide, with a metal frame. Some have arms, and some do not. They are all joined together at the sides, to form rows. If this is likely to pose a problem for you, please email tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk and we can discuss how to make your visit more comfortable.