Photo: Transketeers

Acting like a Robot: The Finale

We are proud to announce the conclusion of our four-year research project Acting Like a Robot: Theatre as Testbed for the Robot Revolution. On Thursday 30 and Friday 31 January 2025, we will conclude this special project in De Paardenkathedraal in Utrecht.

Together with Utrecht University, VU Amsterdam, HKU, SPRING Performing Arts Festival and Ulrike Quade Company, we have spent the past four years researching the intersection of theatre and robotics.

During this two-day event, we will look back on our discoveries, share insights and look ahead to the future together. Find the program below.

Program

Thursday 30 January

KUKA goes Mime

Time: 10 am – 1 pm
Marijn Brussaard and Niek Vanoosterweyck investigated how Mime knowledge and expertise can be translated into robotics. What does this do to the robot’s movements? With the relationship between humans and the KUKA robot? In this workshop, Niek shares what it is like to work with a robot arm and the kind of interactions and insights this has yielded. Together, we explore possibilities for new steps.
Registration is required for this workshop.

Friday 31 January

KUKA goes Music

Time: 10 am – 1 pm
Stephanie Pan explored the potential of the KUKA robot as a musical instrument. Does the robot have the capacity to relate to music? Can KUKA create music itself? What does the KUKA’s voice sound like? And how do you compose music in dialogue with an industrial robot? In this workshop, Stephanie shares her approach, and we experiment with what you can do with it.
Registration is required for this workshop.

Project presentation and wrap-up

Time: 2 pm – 4 pm
From 2.30pm, we will present the outcomes of Acting Like a Robot during an inspiring program:

2..30 pm | “Moving Together. A Performing Arts Approach to Relational Human-Robot Interaction Design.”
Irene Alcubilla Troughton presents the results of her PhD project in the context of Acting Like a Robot.
3 pm | “Can we take this robot apart?”
Maaike Bleeker looks back on Acting Like a Robot, followed by a conversation with Ulrike Quade, Koen Hindriks, Kim Baraka, Nirav Christophe and Irene Alcubilla Troughton.

We will conclude the afternoon festively with drinks at 16.00. You do not need to register for the afternoon program, but it is nice if you let us know you are coming (in regard to catering).

videostill Transketeer A robot walked into the theatre 2

About Acting Like a Robot

Acting Like a Robot brings together the worlds of theatre and robotics. What if actors’ and theatre-makers’ knowledge of body language, expression and interaction is transferred to robot programmers? And what can robots teach us about new forms of storytelling?

At Ulrike Quade Company, we believe in the power of technology as an integral part of the creative process. Together with scientists, engineers and artists, we explore how technology can change not only the world of theatre, but also our society.

About ALAR

On 30 and 31 January 2025, Ulrike Quade Company will conclude the four-year research project Acting Like a Robot at De Paardenkathedraal, Utrecht. The programme will include workshops, presentations and drinks, celebrating the collaboration between theatre and robotics and looking ahead to the future.

Interview with Ulrike Quade: on UNBORN’s unheard perspectives

13 December 2024

UNBORN: Interview with Ulrike Quade about a theatrical concert by OTION and Ulrike Quade Company. It explores human experiences and perspectives through music, magic, and innovative art.

Here are the first residents of Center Stage Robotics

28 November 2023

Photo: Erfan Abdi

‘By bringing together science, technology and art, we are creating a powerful space for innovation – one that challenges societal norms and opens new perspectives on the issues that define our world today.’