On 26 September 2024, Helen Varley Jamieson gave a presentation to students at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, on the topic “Cyberformance as a tool for Social Engagement”. QMU is now using UpStage in its undergraduate Performing Arts teaching, and Helen’s presentation provided the students with an introduction to the potential of the platform.

Using three examples from her own work – make-shift, We have a Situation! and Mobilise/Demobilise, Helen explained what cyberformance is, discussed concepts of the intermedial audience and networked conversations, and demonstrated some of the possibilities of UpStage as a tool for live performance and fostering social engagement. After a Q&A session, Helen gave a brief introduction to UpStage’s on-stage tools before the students were let loose to play on the stages.