When Doctor Faustus Meets Mixed Reality: How XR Is Transforming Live Theater
Emmy-winning director David Gochfeld brings Christopher Marlowe's classic to life with real-time performance capture and consumer VR headsets at one of Germany's premier theaters.
The line between the physical stage and the virtual world is disappearing, and some of the most exciting proof is coming from places you might not expect.
Last autumn, Emmy-winning XR director and researcher David Gochfeld staged a mixed-reality adaptation of Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus at the Staatstheater Nürnberg, one of Germany's most respected theater institutions. The production blended live actors performing on- and off-stage with virtual characters and environments, using real-time performance capture and consumer VR headsets to bring the play's supernatural elements to life for an in-person audience.
It's one of the most compelling examples yet of how spatial computing is opening new creative frontiers — not just in gaming or enterprise, but in the performing arts.
Why This Matters for the XR Industry
For XR solution providers and technology buyers, this production is a case study in what happens when immersive technology moves beyond controlled demo environments and into the unpredictable reality of live performance. The technical demands are significant: real-time motion capture that has to work reliably show after show, consumer-grade VR hardware deployed in a professional stage context, and the seamless integration of physical and virtual elements for an audience that isn't wearing headsets.
The creative challenges are equally instructive. How do you use mixed reality to serve a 400-year-old story without the technology becoming a distraction? How do you design for an audience experiencing the virtual layer alongside traditional stagecraft? These are the kinds of design questions that translate directly to enterprise XR deployments, training simulations, and any application where immersive technology needs to work alongside real-world environments.
About David Gochfeld
David Gochfeld is an award-winning XR creator, theatrical director and performer, and researcher who sits at the intersection of traditional performance and immersive technology. His work in live performance VR has been featured at some of the world's most prestigious festivals, including Tribeca, Raindance, SXSW, and the Venice Biennale Cinema. He won an Emmy for his contribution to Zero Days VR.
He trained at the Jacques LeCoq school in Paris, holds a Master's from NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program, and formerly taught in NYU's Computer Science department. He is currently the Performance Lab Fellow at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, where he continues to explore XR technologies for theater, immersive storytelling, motion capture performance techniques, embodiment in virtual environments, and UX design of spatial computing tools for performing artists.
He also advises theater companies across the US, UK, and Europe on integrating interactive and immersive technologies into their productions.
Join the Session
The VRARA Storytelling Committee is hosting David for a live online session on Thursday, February 19th at 2:00 PM ET, where he'll walk through the creative decisions and technical challenges behind the Doctor Faustus production.
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85671296834 Meeting Passcode: 799995
Why Join the VRARA?
Sessions like this are just one of the benefits of being part of the VR/AR Association community. VRARA members get access to:
Weekly online sessions with industry-leading speakers across 20+ committees including Storytelling, Enterprise, Healthcare, Education, Training, and more
A global network of 60,000+ professionals across 4,000+ organizations and 70+ chapters worldwide
Speaking and exhibiting opportunities at VRARA and partner events
Featured placement in VRARA newsletters, podcasts, and social media (80K+ reach)
Discounts on the Immerse Global Summit and other industry events
Member directory access connecting solution providers with enterprise buyers
Industry publications, case studies, and analyst access
Whether you're an XR solution provider looking for visibility and enterprise connections, or a buyer exploring immersive technology for your organization, the VRARA is where the industry comes together.
Become a member today: https://members.thevrara.com/member-inquries/
Learn about the Immerse Global Summit: https://www.immerseglobalnetwork.com