Carnegie Mellon University | Virtual Reality Production
Sweet Sorrow
Download the VR experience here
"Sweet Sorrow," a groundbreaking venture by Orta Interactive in collaboration with Dr. Stephen Wittek of Carnegie Mellon’s English Department, reimagines Shakespearean drama through the lens of cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) technology. This immersive experience invites users to don an Oculus headset and step onto the digitally recreated Blackfriars stage. Here, participants embody Romeo or Juliet, engaging with the audience and delivering lines that appear before them, thus blending classic theater with modern tech.
Step into virtual stage in Romeo & Juliet
One of the most exciting aspects of the project was using motion capture suits to get accurate gestures to apply to the animated game characters. The gestures add context to the words, thereby accentuating the educational aspect of the experience. The actor and actress had a blast trying something brand new to them, and we all learned a tremendous amount as we troubleshot issues and found best solutions to getting the best and most accurate motions. There was a lot to think about, such as outlining the boundaries of the infamous balcony, which direction characters should look, how much arm movement is best, and how to make gestures that would translate well to animated characters.
Preserving Authenticity
One of the most exciting aspects of the project was using motion capture suits to get accurate gestures to apply to the animated game characters. The gestures add context to the words, thereby accentuating the educational aspect of the experience. The actor and actress had a blast trying something brand new to them, and we all learned a tremendous amount as we troubleshot issues and found best solutions to getting the best and most accurate motions. There was a lot to think about, such as outlining the boundaries of the infamous balcony, which direction characters should look, how much arm movement is best, and how to make gestures that would translate well to animated characters.
Experience Shakespeare VR: Sweet Sorrow
The collaboration between Orta Interactive and Carnegie Mellon's Dr. Stephen Wittek has given birth to an extraordinary virtual reality experience, "Sweet Sorrow." Seamlessly marrying the classic eloquence of Shakespeare with the modern marvel of VR technology, this project transforms the way we interact with the Bard's timeless narratives.
Interested in experiencing Romeo or Juliet on the historic Blackfriars stage? Simply click the link and download experience from . Let yourself be guided into Shakespeare's world, where you not only witness but partake in the drama, reciting lines and engaging with a virtual audience.
Shakespeare VR: Sweet Sorrow – Your Portal to the Stage