Overview

in:space is a research and development project by Innovation:Lab exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and live theatre-making. The central question driving the project is whether it is possible to build a system that allows theatre makers to create cue-based narrative structures on top of existing large language models — giving artists an intuitive tool to shape scene-by-scene dramaturgy with AI as a responsive layer.

Concept

The project investigates how AI can follow cues, shift tone, and adapt to live decisions while keeping the maker fully in control of the story. Rather than replacing artistic judgment, the system is designed to expand it — providing a clear, accessible environment where technology serves imagination. The outcome positioned Innovation:Lab at the forefront of exploring AI in theatre, establishing reference points for how the field can engage with emerging technologies responsibly and creatively.

Technology

The system integrates a curated set of tools — text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and text-to-image — into a unified environment, removing the need for makers to navigate multiple models and allowing them to focus on artistic decisions from the outset. I contributed to the project as Creative Technologist, leading the overall technical development, AI integration, and TouchDesigner implementation that brought the system to life as a functional, artist-centred prototype.

Team

• Creative Technologists: Darien Brito, Nikzad Arabshahi
• AI Engineer: Joe Harrison