Research Roundup: Michael F. Bergmann
Michael F. Bergmann is an Assistant Professor in Production and holds a BFA in Performance Production alongside a MFA in Design. Currently Bergmann is working alongside two professors in The Creative School on the “Visualizing Music Project” - Cintia Cristiá and David Bouchard. The project aims to answer two questions; first, what have orchestras done during the pandemic to reach their audiences? And second, can a platform be created using this data for orchestras to connect to their audiences? Working alongside the National Arts Center Orchestra and while observing thirty-three other orchestras world-wide, the three professors are currently writing a research paper to explain their findings and suggestions. They are also working on finding alternate uses for platform and creative additions that are not usually part of orchestral performances, for example, a chat function. The goal is to create something geared toward audiences, to encourage them to attend an orchestral performance. They are in the middle of creating a proof-of-concept prototype AR application to experience orchestra performances. Individually, Michael is researching how performance can “help human-robot interaction” and he is particularly interested in improvisation. Micheal is working to discover “what relationship can be built between a human and robot within constraints and rules”, and is about to start a new project that will result in a human-robot durational performance installation using a Machine Learning model that will develop responsive choreography.
Both of his projects have been affected by the current pandemic in some way. The orchestra project was actually inspired by the pandemic, as it was funded by a SSHRC COVID-19 grant and by virtual performances. The past of virtual theatre and performances provided new technology and ideas to experiment with in regards to adding to the audience’s experience. With his personal project, Micheal was unable to access a lab to work on it, and so began digging into other sources of research in literature. Specifically, the topics of, and conferences around human-robot performance so that when in-person work becomes possible again, his theory work is already complete.
The primary goal for both projects stems from questioning how technology can help people connect with one another. Each project had an emphasis on communication, storytelling and using performance as a medium. Michael explained how he was inspired to discover “how we can adapt to the situation we’re in and learn from it and grow from it better,” and mentioned how being forced to do virtual shows has helped us create more accessible spaces. Overall, with the orchestra project, Michael and his colleagues want to “shake up the industry a little bit” to show that there is not just one demographic interested in orchestral performances.
Of course there are difficulties with any project. Everything is currently taking longer than normal due to the pandemic, and so grant timelines and deadlines must be flexible and adjusted to accommodate that. People also have less energy and are more burnt out and their mental health must be taken into consideration as well. If you would like to learn more about Michael’s research, visit at this site for periodic updates.
Some parting advice from Micheal as we head into a new school year, is to keep one thing in mind when considering a research project: if there is something you’re interested in, there are probably other people also interested in it. Find that community, and it will be much easier to move forward with your research. Find the forums and conferences to meet people, get inspired, and build connections.
