**V62.4** is a project that explores the boundaries of immersive performance. This performance delves into themes of homesickness and nostalgia and is a part of CyberShakespeare’s work on the dramaturgy of absence. The dramaturgy of absence is a term used by the CyberShakespeare collective to understand how to eliminate the performer/creator from the performance and how to keep the performance invisible. It was first initiated during the work on [City Park](https://hamidrezahosseini.com/2023/12/18/city-parks-virtual-odyssey-unmasking-theatrical-realms/) because of its sensitive content and the need to set up a safe platform for both spect-actors and creators. Rethinking technology dramaturgically is a crucial step toward the dramaturgy of absence. This performance in its final stage utilizes different locations of a house that are common spaces regardless of the architecture of the place. These locations are the living room, dining table, bathroom, and bedroom. This article documents the journey of **V62.4**, highlighting its developmental stages and the creative decisions that shaped its trajectory.
People who made this journey possible are listed below
Syd Hamidreza Hosseini, Iliya Giahchi; founders of Cybershakespeare.
Deniz Tafaghodi, Farbod Maeen and Kimiya Ein Ali as guest artists.
We should also thank:
Paolo Gruni, Andre Boocchetti, Franklin, Lauryn Anderson, Nastaran Behzadpour, Richy Srirachanikorn, Nona Neisi and Amir Torabi.
If you want to be a part of this experience, [CLICK HERE](https://hamidrezahosseini.com/v62-4-attendance-form/)
Stage One: Class Presentation
**V62.4** began as a prototype for a class titled _Oral History Performance_ with Dr. Luis Carlos Sotelo Castro. In this initial phase, the project featured basic sound and graphic design elements. The first performance took place on April 4th. [View the in-class performance](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kyoqJvVAv16nnYb9McvNBZAFUzloKr5P/view?usp=sharing). [View the media used in this stage](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vWcIOkQQGGluOkzBZOXcs1_fKaSOMn_P/view?usp=sharing) for a group of 15 students in the Theatre Department of Concordia University.
Stage Two: Expanding the Prototype
Starting from July 5th, the second prototype occurred at LePARC (Performing Arts Research Center) in Milieux, Concordia University. This version hosted around 50 people with six performances, ending on July 6th. Each performance lasted about 30 minutes, with three performances per day.
In this iteration, we focused on the “Living Room” section and the dramaturgy of the instructions, exploring how they could invite spect-actors to contribute to the performance. This version emphasized sound design and the immersive experience it offered to the audience.
It was during this stage that Deniz and Farbod became involved, contributing to the listening experience. Iliya also worked on enriching the narrative, while Armin designed the graphics. We incorporated AI technology to create the voice of Prospero, using a cloned voice of Max Von Sydow, a Swedish actor.
Stage Three: Connecting with Diverse Audiences
This stage, which took place on August 14th, occurred in a refugee hotel in Montreal. This iteration was a collaboration between CyberShakespeare and Patricia Machado, a visiting PhD student. This version of **V62.4** was performed in six languages: Persian, French, English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Arabic. It was hosted by nearly 25 individuals who were waiting for their refugee cases to be processed.
The idea behind this project was rooted in the fact that these refugees, bombarded with paperwork and regulations, often became dissociated from their own bodies. This 15-minute performance replicated the “Living Room” section in their own rooms at the hotel and aimed to reconnect them with their bodies while exploring themes of nostalgia.
Since the group was not allowed to distribute papers or any other material, the performance needed to be easily accessible to its spect-actors. Therefore, we placed posters with QR codes for each language, allowing participants to scan and listen to the files in their own rooms.
Stage Four: The Final Iteration in Private Homes
The last stage of **V62.4** took place in various private homes. The audience for this iteration was divided into two groups: the host and the guest.
Whenever someone volunteered to become a host, we made a public announcement to our connections and invited guests to the host’s home. This version included spaces such as the dining table, living room, bedroom, and bathroom. All the stages occurred in the host’s home except for the bedroom section, which took place in the guest’s own bedroom.
This version was also initiated through QR codes and audio instructions. It began in December 2024, visiting Malmö (Sweden) twice in two different homes, Toronto (Canada), and Davis (USA).
The next cities to host this performance include Montreal, Berlin, Frankfurt, and Lyon. We are also in contact with other volunteers to host future performances in different cities worldwide. If you want to be a part of this journey, click [here](https://hamidrezahosseini.com/v62-4-attendance-form/).
