Seattle Theatre, in the United States, is revolutionizing live drama by integrating AI with human actors. The interesting yet creative idea will mark a unique blend of technology and performance on stage.
Elmer Rice’s 1923 play, The Adding Machine, tells the story of an office clerk who faces a deep crisis after his job is replaced by a machine. In this advanced era of Artificial Intelligence we often wonder will machines would take over theatrical performances.
Surprisingly Seattle’s thaetre ground named “The Feast” has adopted AI into their play. “The Adding Machine: A Cyber-Moral Drama,” has been the first attempt to integrate AI into theatrical performances or creations.
This creative play will premiere at the Lee Center for the Arts at Seattle University on September 14, with previews starting on September 12. Blending technology with traditional theatre, it will feature generative AI in scenes and costume design, and interactive roles played by chatbots like OpenAI’s CatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude alongside five human actors
The actors will partner with AI through live questioning and real-time text or voice responses. While 80% of the script remains unchanged, actors must interact with the AI to enhance their performance.
From composing music and revolutionizing theatrical improv to managing theatre operations like ticketing, AI will not only enhance creativity but also boost productivity, adding a new layer of fun to the experience
Ryan Guzzo Purcell, artistic director of The Feast, has concerns about AI’s impact on workers, its environmental toll, and lack of regulation. Yet, he admits it’s unavoidable.
“The play explores what happens when technology outpaces our comfort,” Purcell said. “AI’s role in capitalism and culture is something we must confront.”
AI’s relationship with art is edgy, with many artists filing lawsuits over copyright infringement, fearing AI may replace and exploit human creativity.
While integrating AI into art is innovative, Purcell emphasizes that theatre groups will continue to value their artists. They offer actors a weekly salary of $825, significantly higher than what’s typically offered by other nonprofit theatre groups in the region
He said: “Our decisions regarding budgeting and artist hiring have not changed due to the use of AI.”
While AI’s role in theatrical performances is groundbreaking, some plays have already explored this new dimension. Purcell notes that despite the expanding use of human-AI interaction, he does not plan to incorporate AI technologies in future works.
He aims to spark a reflection in the audience about their unique identity and values amidst technological advancements.
