Game design student unveils innovative virtual seat viewer that lets audiences preview their view before entering the theater

Rochester, New York – Visitors attending performances at the Music Performance Theater may soon have a new digital tool to explore before taking their seats, thanks to the work of Annalee Dorozynski, a fifth-year game design and development major who has been pouring her skills into an immersive project unlike anything the venue has offered before. Dorozynski, who is from Middletown, N.Y., has developed a virtual reality recreation of the theater that lets audience members examine what their view of the stage will look like from any spot in the house.

Her work will be introduced to the public at the Frameless Labs XR Showcase, a one-day event dedicated to virtual, augmented, and mixed-reality technologies. The showcase runs from noon to 4 p.m. on Nov. 21 at MAGIC Spell Studios and features a range of demos, installations, and performances from students and faculty working on cutting-edge immersive experiences. For Dorozynski, the event is a chance to show how VR can solve practical problems for everyday theatergoers.

Her project, a “virtual seater” for the 750-seat Music Performance Theater, re-creates the entire interior with enough detail for visitors to explore from multiple viewpoints. Dorozynski produced rendered captures from each level of the venue, including the two balconies, giving users a clear snapshot of what they can expect before showtime. Her goal is to integrate the system into the theater itself so the public can access it for future performances. If things go as planned, the tool could be ready for wider use as early as next semester.

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The idea first emerged through a connection between two faculty members. Senior Lecturer Erika Mesh suggested Dorozynski take on the project after hearing that computer science professor Joe Geigel was looking for a student with both 3D modeling and coding experience. The collaboration became part of the Vertically Integrated Projects Program, which brings together students and faculty to work on long-term, multi-disciplinary projects. For Dorozynski, it was the perfect blend of technical challenge and creative expression.

Her path into game design and development began with a simple motivation: a lifelong love of video games and art. Blending those passions led her toward a major that allowed her to learn everything from modeling and animation to coding and design theory. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue developing games with her friends at a small independent studio called Bad Idea Productions, with the long-term goal of entering the broader game industry.

Outside the lab, Dorozynski keeps busy with a mix of hobbies and campus involvement. She enjoys drawing and playing video games, but also has a strong interest in basketball, a sport she played throughout middle and high school. She has a growing collection of manga figures and a variety of video and board games, including older consoles such as her Nintendo 64. On campus, she also serves as the business coordinator for the RIT Anime Club, a role that adds another layer to her already full schedule.

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As virtual experiences become more common across entertainment spaces, Dorozynski’s project offers a glimpse of how immersive technology can make venues more accessible and more welcoming. For audiences hoping to know what they’ll see long before the curtain rises, her virtual seater may soon become an essential part of the theater-going experience.