ShakespeARe in the Park: preliminary reflections on the development of a site-specific mixed-reality experience

This case study discusses the ongoing work to develop a site-specific augmented reality (AR) experience based on the works of Shakespeare to be installed in Singapore’s Fort Canning Park, the site of semiannual Shakespeare in the Park performances. It begins by contextualizing the project in reference to both Shakespeare in Singapore and previous examples of educational and theatrical projects that have made use of AR technology before going on to explore the textual, technological, and visual decisions that have shaped the initial project development. It is hoped that this paper will offer insight into the collaborative, cross-disciplinary creative process that shaped our approach to the first stage of the project, as well as prompt reflections on the potential of mixed-reality technology for engaging 21<SUP>st</SUP> century audiences with Shakespeare’s narratives and characters in new and innovative ways.