When San Jose’s New Ballet performs “Sleeping Beauty” at the California Theatre Sunday, everyone in the audience can have the experience of sitting next to a ballet expert providing commentary and context throughout the show. But it won’t disturb anyone else in the auditorium because it’s all happening on your phone.
New Ballet Director Dalia Rawson said she was inspired by her experience watching electronic sports where — like with regular football or basketball games — the audience gets the added benefit of commentary on the action. At “Sleeping Beauty” on Sunday, patrons with special Live Casting tickets will be seated together in the balcony and will dial into a conference call on their own phones (with earbuds) to hear the commentary during the 2 p.m. performance.
“As far as we know, we are the first ballet organization to try this out,” said Rawson, who calls the experiment a beta test. “It’s a bit radical, having people use phones in the theater and all, but I think context and additional information will enhance the experience, just as it does when watching football or the Olympics.”
The Live Casting info will include personal anecdotes, interviews with the dancers, and historical background about the show, which features South African dancer Lwando Dutyulwa in the lead role for his debut performance in this ballet. Rawson said Dutyulwa grew up in the townships outside Cape Town and overcame many challenges to become a dancer. He danced the Nutcracker Prince in “The San Jose Nutcracker” last year and feedback from audiences on social media was very positive.
In addition to Sunday’s 2 p.m. performance, there will be a one-hour performance — without Live Casting — at 11 a.m. Saturday for younger audiences with reduced ticket prices. Details are available at www.newballet.com, and you can get Live Casting tickets at www.newballet.com/live-casting.
