Exploring theater experiences among Hong Kong audiences

Abstract

Abstract Audience experience is a bridge between performers and the audience in the performing arts. In this study, we explore how Chinese audiences evaluate a theater performance in Hong Kong. We interviewed 45 professional theater practitioners and identified five theater experience factors. We found that the audience evaluates a theater performance from the perspectives of cognition, emotion, sensation, authenticity, and coherence. Cognition is the extent to which a performance is comprehensible yet provides cognitive challenges and inspiration. Emotion is the experience of engagement, emotional release and resonance, and surprise. Sensation concerns physiological and sensory stimulations and experiencing aesthetic pleasure. Authenticity is the extent to which performers are believed to be sincere and true in staging and performing the play. Coherence is about ensemble and integration between different theatrical elements. Similarities and differences with other audience experience models proposed are noted and discussed.