Grumelot & Escuela Nave 73: Defying Traditional Stage Presence Through Digital Media

Abstract As COVID-19 brought significant changes to the art industry, it forced creators to re-invent the way they collaborate and produce their work. Within Hispanic Classical Theater, these unforeseen circumstances led playwrights, directors, and performers to seek new ideas and venues of dissemination that may change the course of Spanish comedia productions for years to come. However, the proliferation of these digital productions raises several questions: How can multimedia outlets be used effectively to capture the audience’s attention and engage them in the same way as traditional theater? How can they create a sense of intimacy and recreate the perception of being present in the absence of the in-person theatrical experience? In order to answer these questions and to understand how these challenges can be overcome, this article examines the multimedia play Y es mayor dolor la ausencia que la muerte (Grumelot and Escuela Nave 73). A digital and interactive show that attempts to overcome the limitations imposed by digital broadcasting and implements social presence elements that allow the performers to create a sense of connectedness with the audience.