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Virtual Stage: A New Era in Designing for the Stage

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The new era of stage productions

Developed by the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, Virtual Stage is set to transform the world of stage design. This groundbreaking virtual design tool for large-scale stage productions empowers artistic teams to create photorealistic digital twins of any stage set, providing time for testing and experimenting from proof-of-concept onwards.

Beyond streamlining production design, Virtual Stage opens the door find ways to enhance the audience experience and deliver maximum operational safety.

Why Virtual Stage?

Throughout history, opera houses have embraced innovation. Creating unforgettable experiences in the 21st century requires new tools and technologies that streamline complex productions. The birth of Virtual Stage answered a need to address common production challenges. Tight budgets and timelines, along with the often evolving nature of artistic vision, have driven the creation of this platform.

Virtual Stage enables high-quality visualisation long before production begins and ensures seamless collaboration between different teams, reducing the need for traditional scale models. As the development of the virtual stages is not in the core of the operations for the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, we have joined forces with Younite to commercialize the platform and distribute it further to theatres all over the world. Younite specializes to AI- and 3D-solutions and has approximately one hundred employees in Finland and United States.

The Finnish National Opera and Ballet (FNOB) has sold the rights to the Virtual Stage (formerly known as XR Stage) to the Finnish AI company Younite

The Finnish National Opera and Ballet and Younite share the goal of establishing Virtual Stage as a global standard for stage space and production design in the performing arts. Virtual Stage is an innovative virtual tool for stage design developed by the Finnish National Opera and Ballet. Virtual stages developed according to the concept are already in use in operas in Sweden, Chile, and Bulgaria. The commercial expansion of Virtual Stage does not fall within the core activities of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, which is why Younite will take on the task of selling and commercializing the solution.

Younite is a company of Finnish origin specializing in AI and 3D solutions. It has over one hundred employees in Finland and the United States.

More information about the agreement

More information about the Virtual Stage

Learn how Virtual Stage can enhance your work

With the Virtual Stage platform, all corners of opera and ballet houses can benefit from unlimited stage time, better preparedness, improved efficiency, and more seamless collaboration. It offers a solution to minimize risk and enhance creativity.

Click on the roles below to learn more precisely how you can benefit from the use of Virtual Stage platform. (clicking on the role will open up a dropdown menu).

  • Effortless proof-of-concept: Test new productions risk-free before committing.
  • Fuel creativity: Gain inspiration from the virtual stage during artistic design.
  • Easy communications: Collaborate globally in a true-to-life virtual environment.
  • Minimize errors: Visualize and test concepts early on, reducing misinterpretation.
  • Unlimited stage time: Familiarize performers with the set in advance.
  • Enhanced work safety: Improve physical stage safety through immersive practice.

  • Unlimited stage time: Test and experiment without assembly, reducing production costs.
  • Streamlined design: Visualize sets realistically, speeding up construction.
  • Seamless collaboration: Work with artistic teams remotely in real-time.
  • Saved time: Reduce travel with real-time visualizations.
  • Reduced waste: Accurate plans minimize unnecessary set construction and final-stage modifications.
  • Simplified rehearsals: Sketch, test, pre-program technology, and run through changes, resulting in efficient rehearsals.

  • Effortless proof-of-concept: Test new productions risk-free before committing.
  • Reduced costs: Cut down material and labor costs by trying them out virtually beforehand.
  • Enhanced work safety: Improve physical stage safety through immersive practice.
  • Leading technical development: Explore virtualization’s potential in live performances for long-term growth.

  • Effortless proof-of-concept: Test new productions on your own stage risk-free before committing.
  • Streamlined communication: Ensure everyone, regardless of location, can access the virtual model at any time, keeping everyone updated on shared productions.
  • Seamless collaboration: Collaborate globally in a true-to-life virtual environment.
  • Minimize errors: Visualize and test concepts early on, reducing misinterpretation.
  • Unlimited stage time: Familiarize performers with the set in advance.
  • Enhanced work safety: Improve physical stage safety through immersive practice.

See what it looks like

Learn how the Virtual Stage platform has streamlined the process of creating world-class stage productions around the world.

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Case Turandot – Finnish Natinal Opera and Ballet

Turandot was the first production at Finnish National Opera and Ballet, and across opera houses globally, where behind-the-scenes immersive technology of this scale was used from proof-of-concept to final production and with massive benefits.

Read more about the use of XR-technology at Turandot (you will be sent to varjo.com)

Questions? Find the answer!

A laptop is all you need to get started. The platform runs on a game engine, and it can be used on VR headsets but also desktop and mobile.

The initial cost is low. The concept is an open-source platform that is free to use. You only need a contractor to create a 3D model of your space and stage.

Yes. The more opera houses use the Virtual Stage concept, the easier it is for everyone to create co-productions and rental pieces, exchange insights, and co-develop future productions using the Virtual Stage platform. Together, we shape the future of stage design!

No technical expertise is required to use the platform.

Virtual Stage can be used also for existing productions. When you have a virtual model of your stage, you can implement all the elements into the platform and enhance the production. Virtual Stage is also highly effective when an existing production goes on a tour.

Unleashing Future Creativity

With Virtual Stage, we are reshaping the future of stage production, combining creativity and innovation like never before.

Beyond simplifying production, Virtual Stage empowers artistic teams and producers to embrace the potential of digital technologies within performing arts. Whether it involves elevating live performances or capturing the movements of performers to craft virtual shows in the metaverse, these emerging technologies unlock a wealth of opportunities to craft innovative experiences for audiences.

We’re here to help you!

Ready to revolutionize your stage production?

Commercial inquiries’:

Chief of Staff Laura Olin (laura.olin@younite.ai / +358 40 351 6808)
Chief Growth Officer Anne Eskola Hickey (anne.eskola(at)younite.ai / +45 22 32 9003)

Contacts at Finnish National Opera and Ballet:

External Relations Manager Lauri Pokkinen (lauri.pokkinen(at)opera.fi / +358 44 2627 699)
Project Manager Hannu Järvensivu (hannu.jarvensivu(at)opera.fi)
Production and Technical Director Timo Tuovila (timo.tuovila(at)opera.fi / +359 9 4030 2201)

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