Existence Theatre – Masterclass at JAMU International Theater Conference 2026
As artists, we are compelled to investigate the potential of AI as a constructive ally in the creative process, especially during the visualisation and planning phases of performance work. This includes tasks such as refining foreign language texts and generating images for conceptual presentations. We also acknowledge the growing concerns surrounding AI’s use, whether as a deliberate, subconscious, or hidden tool. Our focus is on how AI can support conceptual development while preserving the distinct contributions of artists, performers, and human creators. Our latest project, titled Human, delves into the significant effects of artificial intelligence on human thought and behaviour. Nonetheless, an overreliance on AI may unintentionally diminish our ability to engage in reflection and critical thinking, which are vital aspects of human intelligence. We encourage participants to explore this complexity through an experiential Masterclass centred on embodiment, emphasising human connection through non-verbal communication rather than solely intellectual discourse.
This masterclass offers a 90-minute immersive experience followed by a 30-minute discussion, led by an Australian performance art collective that critically explores embodied processes within contemporary art, often situated at the periphery of mainstream practices. Drawing inspiration from works like Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World and Goethe’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, the session investigates how the unknown influences individuals and how embodied expression can deepen our comprehension of human existence. The aim is to uncover how AI can assist in refining creative ideas while preserving the essence of the artistic process, which is inherently linked to human imagination. This imaginative faculty connects us to our collective consciousness, fostering profound engagement with ourselves, others, and our surroundings—an engagement that AI has yet to replicate.
Participants will be invited to respond to sound through movement and dramatisation, utilising lines developed by the artists with AI’s assistance for their project, Human, which examines the intricate dynamics of individuals in a transcultural society amid the growing impact of AI.
The chance to delve into this project by experimenting with the concept will give participants space to culture-specific perspectives, delving into the complexities of connection and isolation experienced both individually and collectively. Through evocative imagery conveyed through dance, movement, and sound, this process will stimulate conversations about self-empowerment and the influence of AI on personal identity.
“And so, I immerse myself in embracing the uncertainties and contradictions, finding solace in the journey itself. I catch a glimpse of the elusive truths that lie at the core of this existence, transcending the boundaries of time and space, and touching the very essence of what it means to be human.” (The Butterfly Catcher (personified AI) in HUMAN, Existence Theatre/AUS)