These days, there’s a lot more to live performance than memorizing lines and well-practiced gestures. Ryan Belock believes technology is key.
That means using today’s technology, cell phones, projectors and computers, to enhance the storytelling in live performances. The new professor will be introducing digital and immersive media to the theater department at UMKC’s conservatory this fall.
Belock is an accomplished projection designer who studied graphic design, percussion performance, theater and integrated media for live performance. Throughout his career, he has traveled the United States to collaborate on Broadway and off-Broadway shows such as “A Wonderful World” and “Dear Evan Hansen.”
Now, Belock is ready to shift his career into teaching, something he has wanted to do since he started.
“I’m now finally at the point where I am excited to share some of that knowledge, knowing full well that the technology is changing every day,” Belock said.
Belock is easing into the school year with an introduction to theater design course that is available to all students. It will cover scene design, costumes, lighting, sound and video, and projections.
His MFA classes are focused on projection design and will begin spring of 2025. This will cover how to incorporate image, video, sound and light projections into live performances.
The program is still in development but will focus on using technology to enhance live performances such as theater, recitals, symphonies and even dance. Belock will teach us to answer the question, “How do we integrate video design into [performances].”
When working on a project in projection design, Belock compared the process to other design fields. He starts with receiving an assignment or brief and then communicates with a leader to establish what kind of visual language will be used.
From there, he does research and tailors it to fit the message of the performance. He collaborates with other designers and directors to bounce ideas around. Finally, they test out different versions and fine-tune their creations to pick the best fit for the production.
“I think it’s [projection design] very accessible for people to not just obtain skills but then reapply skills in this field in other ways,” Belock said. “You become a great communicator and become a great collaborator…I think all of those skills are only going to help you whether you stay in this particular field or whether you go into business or finance or healthcare.”
Belock expresses the importance and beauty of his craft.
“It’s why I think live performance of any kind is so special, because it is something you can’t experience the same way twice,” Belock said.
Interim Chair of the Theatre Division at the Conservatory Collin Vorbeck said to expect to see this new technology in upcoming school productions, hoping to add it to the spring musical. “Finding innovative, integrated ways to share our stories with audiences is the only way live performing arts survive in this digital world,” said Vorbeck.
