The document records a full‑class forum for a Studies in the Arts lecture at Lehman College (May 2026) centered on the prompt “How is TikTok inherently theatrical?” The discussion opens with writer‑activist Katy Zapanta’s claim that TikTok is the future of theatre, turning everyday actions into performance. Students respond with a range of perspectives: some argue TikTok is a hybrid of theatrical and multimedia performance, noting that users adopt personas, stage routines, and monetize their work; others invoke Walter Benjamin’s idea of the camera turning us into performers, and discuss how the platform’s algorithmic curation shapes what becomes theatrical. The conversation repeatedly returns to themes of accessibility (anyone can become a performer), the blurring of identity between human and technology (cyborg metaphor), and the tension between digital performance and traditional live theatre (issues of presence, authenticity, and the “tall vs. wide” aspect‑ratio clash). Economic concerns surface around monetization, virality as a success metric, and the sustainability of creator income. Several posts cite concrete examples (Bridgerton musical clips, Ratatouille, “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind” improv format) to illustrate short‑form theater. A minority voice warns that TikTok could eclipse or erode historic art forms, emphasizing the need for coexistence. Throughout, Professor Brian McCormick interjects with historical references, philosophical reflections, and meta‑comments on the platform’s role as a new “digital stage.” The overall narrative maps a multifaceted debate about whether TikTok constitutes a new form of theatre, a multimedia performance space, or merely a commercialized, algorithm‑driven spectacle, and how this informs the development of a new generation of theater.
Topics
TikTok as a Hybrid of Theatrical and Multimedia Performance
Students define TikTok’s core activities—acting, storytelling, dance, editing—as theatrical acts blended with varied media (video, music, text, effects).
Algorithmic Curation, Virality, and the Economics of Digital Theatre
Discussion of how TikTok’s recommendation engine selects content, turning virality into a metric of artistic success and influencing monetization, sponsorship, and creator sustainability.
Democratization of Performance: A New Generation of Theatre
Arguments that TikTok lowers barriers to entry, allowing anyone with a phone to become a performer, expanding audience reach beyond traditional venues.