With the continuous adoption of mobile technologies (mTech) in our modern world today, it’s almost impossible to let go of these devices instantly as most of our activities are now dependent on it. In fact, in the United Kingdom earlier this year, 32 percent of consumers purchased a smartphone with an increased usage by 68 percent in 2014 from last year’s 62 percent. This goes to show how powerful these gadgets can be. Today, the same technologies are shaping various industries and hobbies including theater arts. As it continues to provide us with digital, fast assistance while on the go, many theater managers have resulted in maximizing these technologies. In this post, we’ll have a look at how mobile enhances the current world of performing arts.

Application for performing artists
As the modern famous line goes, “there’s always an app for that” – same goes for the industry of theater arts. There are a few reliable apps that the production can use from rehearsals to stage management. Here are some of it that you can try on:
1. Rehearsal: Easy-Prompter by Graphite, Inc.
Turn your tablets into a mini prompter machine for the actors while practicing lines on stage. The Easy-Prompter app is a smart teleprompter that scrolls the scripts upwards with an option for mirror reflection effect. It also offers an inverted mode to automatically change black on white script to white on black. It is available on the Google Play Store for $0.99.
2. Production: Genielux by Michael Zinman
A powerful application for production manager and staff, the Genielux assists them in finding the exact model of stage items they need (lights, audio, video, and other gears) and locate the nearest local vendors where they can rent or purchase the items. It has its own accessible inventory which offers full details about the vendor and a GPS location of the store. The app is free to install at the App Store.
3. Stage Management: Pocket Call Sheet by Snake Byte Studio
Getting the call sheet is among the most difficult part of the stage management process, but with the help of Pocket Call Sheet, it eliminates the need to rely on physical offices to get the call sheet working. Some of its other features include scheduling production on the go, sending schedules and other requirements (PDF or HTML) to the casts and crew via your handset. Pocket Call Sheet also enables the Line Producer app that assists the stage assistant to get sign off on the call sheets via their handsets. It can be seen at the iTunes store and can be installed for a price of $6.99.

Mobile ticketing system
Apart from apps, most theaters today have their own digital ticketing systems where people can remotely purchase their tickets and choose their seats online or via a specified app. There are also third party companies that offer immediate electronic ticket purchasing for concerts, events, and plays such as Ticket Source. It offers ticketing services in Scotland, North West and North East England, Yorshire, East and West Midlands, Central England, Essex and East Angalia, London, South East and South West England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Channel Islands. Apart from electronic and thermal tickets, they also offer mobile ones where organizers can send the pass via the smartphone or tablet of consumers. It uses a barcode where audiences only need to present the their handset, showing the barcode upon entering the location. 
There are also theaters that have their own ticketing system such as the O2 Arena. They offer the Priority ticketing app that allows the subscribers to purchase tickets to thousands of events a... two days before its general release to the public. The app is available for iOS devices, but O2 also offers it to their network subscribers for free. 

Revolutionizing the style of performance 
We’ve watched several plays where they maximize technologies in making the flow of the story more interactive to the audiences such as using projector screens. But, it was our first time to see a show wherein all audiences are required to have their smartphones on and ready while the presentation is ongoing. In May of this year, we were surprised with the release do SELF by Michael Beets, a play in China that creates a unique, first of its kind theatrical experience with the use of sma.... “Self' is a one-woman show about trust, friendship and betrayal on an online platform called 'Social'. It will be the first smartphone-complemented theatre presentation in China. The audience’s smartphone device is an integral part of the show and its story,” director Michale Beets said. This is a step forward from performance arts, and we hope that other directors will also find their own creative way of maximizing mobile devices in their shows.

Although using mobile devices inside the theater while a performance is ongoing is..., it’s undeniable that the same technologies are important in enhancing the process we follow in stage production and management. We hope this article has opened your eyes to the benefit of mobile devices in your industry. How do you expect smartphones and tablets to shape the world of performance arts?