A Study on Immersive Experiences in Chinese Musicals in the Digital Media Environment: Taking the Immersive Small Theater at Shanghai Asia Mansion as an Example

Tszyan Lam

doi:10.54254/2753-7048/2025.CB25104

Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public MediaOpen access

A Study on Immersive Experiences in Chinese Musicals in the Digital Media Environment: Taking the Immersive Small Theater at Shanghai Asia Mansion as an Example

Research Article

Open Access

A Study on Immersive Experiences in Chinese Musicals in the Digital Media Environment: Taking the Immersive Small Theater at Shanghai Asia Mansion as an Example

Tszyan Lam ^1*

¹ University of Shanghai for Science and Technology

^*Corresponding author: 2220550308@st.usst.edu.cn

Published on 11 July 2025

LNEP Vol.106

ISSN (Print): 2753-7056

ISSN (Online): 2753-7048

ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-253-9

ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-254-6

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Abstract

Against the backdrop of rapid development in digital media, immersive theater has reshaped the relationship between audiences and performances by breaking down traditional boundaries between spectators and performers, becoming an important phenomenon in contemporary urban culture in China. Taking the immersive theater musical series “Star Space” at Shanghai Asia Mansion as its research object, this paper explores the characteristics of immersive experiences and the reconstruction of audience-performance relationships in Chinese musical theater within a digital media environment. Based on the “Uses and Gratifications Theory”, the study employs in-depth interviews, conducting semi-structured interviews with three audience members and three theater professionals, combined with literature analysis, to reveal the essence of immersive experiences and their impact on the industry ecosystem. Research has found that, first, close physical interaction in a physical space significantly enhances audience emotional engagement, transforming them from “bystanders” to “participants,” and extending emotional connections through the “stage door session” after the performance. Second, digital media drives “organic” dissemination through online communities, forming a “fan economy”-driven cycle of repeat viewership and emotional closure, but also exacerbating content homogenization and market segmentation. Finally, the industry faces challenges such as weak originality, overreliance on core fans, and talent shortages. Research has found that immersive small theaters need to strike a balance between entertainment and artistry. This article provides a new perspective on the theory and practice of immersive theater and offers optimization suggestions for the innovative path of small theater musicals in China.

Keywords:

Musical, Immersive Small Theater, Asia Mansion, Emotional resonance, Uses and Gratifications Theory

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References

[1]. Shen, J.L. (2013) Modern drama: Spatial turn and thirdspace. Drama Art, (04), 29–36.

[2]. Wang, H.Y. and Cheng, X. (2024) Operation of ambient small theatre musicals in the third space perspective. Arts Management (Chinese-English Edition), (04), 94–99.

[3]. Zhang, S.H. (2023) Analyzing the popularity of resident theater in Chinese small theaters: A case study of the musical “Apollonia”. Theater Home, (21), 15–17.

[4]. Song, Z.Q. and Liu, Q. (2023) Research on spatial transformation and art production in urban renewal—Taking the Asia Mansion of Shanghai as an example. Arts Management (Chinese-English Edition), (04), 147–155.

[5]. Liu, C.P. (2022) Further improvement of cultural consumption level—Research on the development trend of new performing arts space in Shanghai. Arts Management (Chinese-English Edition), (01), 142–150.

[6]. Xu, X.F. (2024) The experimental path of small theater drama. Tianjin Daily, November 26, 010.

[7]. Zhou, J.Y. (2023) Expanding new space for performing arts to cultivate new engines of consumption: Insights from the transformation of Asia Mansion in Shanghai’s development as a performing arts capital. Scientific Development, (04), 106–112.

[8]. Liu, M.L. (2022) The formation and development of the new ecology of urban performing arts: On the example of Asia Mansion as a new performing space. New Performing Space, (06), 105–115.

[9]. Wu, J.Y. (2022) Sense, space, experience: A study of the body as a medium for constructing meaning in live musical theatre. Master’s thesis, Fujian Normal University.

[10]. Du, X.R. (2023) Model construction of the formation mechanism of art consumption experience. Arts Management (Chinese-English Edition), (01), 60–68.

References

[1]. Shen, J.L. (2013) Modern drama: Spatial turn and thirdspace. Drama Art, (04), 29–36.

[2]. Wang, H.Y. and Cheng, X. (2024) Operation of ambient small theatre musicals in the third space perspective. Arts Management (Chinese-English Edition), (04), 94–99.

[3]. Zhang, S.H. (2023) Analyzing the popularity of resident theater in Chinese small theaters: A case study of the musical “Apollonia”. Theater Home, (21), 15–17.

[6]. Xu, X.F. (2024) The experimental path of small theater drama. Tianjin Daily, November 26, 010.

[8]. Liu, M.L. (2022) The formation and development of the new ecology of urban performing arts: On the example of Asia Mansion as a new performing space. New Performing Space, (06), 105–115.

[9]. Wu, J.Y. (2022) Sense, space, experience: A study of the body as a medium for constructing meaning in live musical theatre. Master’s thesis, Fujian Normal University.

[10]. Du, X.R. (2023) Model construction of the formation mechanism of art consumption experience. Arts Management (Chinese-English Edition), (01), 60–68.

Cite this article

Lam,T. (2025). A Study on Immersive Experiences in Chinese Musicals in the Digital Media Environment: Taking the Immersive Small Theater at Shanghai Asia Mansion as an Example. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,106,72-80.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

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Volume title: Proceedings of ICEIPI 2025 Symposium: AI Am Ready: Artificial Intelligence as Pedagogical Scaffold

ISBN: 978-1-80590-253-9(Print) / 978-1-80590-254-6(Online)

Editor: Kurt Buhring, Gregg S. Lloren

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Conference date: 23 July 2025

Series: Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media

Volume number: Vol.106

ISSN: 2753-7048(Print) / 2753-7056(Online)

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