The Adaptation Threshold in Mixed Reality Theater: Cognitive Integration and Narrative Reality 27

The integration of mixed-reality (MR) technology into live theater enhances traditional concepts of audience engagement and presence. This study examines the hybrid staging of Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus at the Staatstheater Nürnberg’s Extended Reality Theater (XRT). The production combines a live actor with virtual avatars viewed through head-mounted displays (HMDs). This study analyzes theoretical factors such as cognitive load, field dependence, and suspension of disbelief as they pertain to MR theater. Empirical insights are drawn from post-performance surveys administered in English and German. The concept of “adaptation threshold” is proposed to describe the critical point at which audience members cognitively accept MR stimuli as part of the narrative reality. Survey feedback and interview data reveal that technical disruptions reset this threshold, while narrative coherence, social referencing, and stylized content lower cognitive load and facilitate immersion.