1996: Dr. George Popovich’s publishes the essay “Artaud Unleashed” in Theater And Cyberspace. This essay examines VR Theater and points the way to future uses of VR in theatrical entertainment.

1996: HFCC Theater Arts Virtual Theatricality Lab founded by Dr. George Popovich. Research beings exploring real-time VR scenery, live 3D stereoscopic projection, and animated characters.

1996-2001: Virtual Theater techniques used in multimedia presentations for all HFCC Theater Arts classes.

2001-2003: Pre-production and rehearsal: The Tempest.

April 2003: The Tempest premieres using live 3D stereo projection, 3D character animation, and real-time VR scenery and prop navigation. The Tempest is the first production in Michigan and the second production in the world ( The University of Kansas was the first) to use 3D stereoscopic projection and real-time VR navigated scenery. The Tempest is selected as a regional winter in The Kennedy Center’s American College Theater festival.

January, 2004: The Tempest is presented to the Kennedy Center’s American College Theater festival for six performances.

The Tempest is widely covered in Michigan and national media, including The Associated Press, The Detroit News, The Detroit Free Press, The Detroit Metro Times, Michigan Vue, Marsdust, The News Herald, The Dearborn Press and Guide, and The Dearborn Times Herald.

August 2005: Pre-Production and rehearsal: The Skriker.

November 2006: The Skriker premiers and is the first theatrical production in the world to incorporate 3D stereo and motion capture in a live theatrical performance of a stage play. (The University of Georgia was the first theater to incorporate motion capture into the performance of a traditional stage play). HFCC’s production was also the first time The Skriker had been produced in Michigan. Following the VTL’s lead, technical configurations, and staging practices, several major universities produce shows using Motion Capture and 3D stereo in 2007.

The Skriker is widely covered in Michigan and national media, including The Associated Press, The Detroit News, The Detroit Free Press, The Detroit Metro Times, Michigan Vue, Marsdust, The News Herald, The Dearborn Press and Guide, The Dearborn Times Herald and Dramabiz.

The Skriker wins many honors, including:

1. Winner, Best Innovation Team. (Dr. George Popovich. Alan Contino, Brian Johnson. Chris Dozier, John Wilson). LAND (Liberal Arts Network for Development. A network to promote the Liberal Arts at Michigan community colleges). February, 2007.

2. Critics Picks, December 2006, Detroit Free Press.

3. Motion Capture Workshop, presented by invitation. VTL team members Dr. George Popovich, Brian Johnson, Alan Contino Lori Beltaine. The Kennedy Center's American College Theater Festival, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, January, 2007.

4. Dr.George Popovich listed in 2007 and 2008 editions of Who's Who In America for his work in digital theater development.

5. Winner, League For Innovation In The Community College Award, April 2007.

6. Visit by Dr. Guangyao Bai, Vice President The National Academy of Chinese Theater Arts, October, 2007.

7. Bellwether Award Finalist, October, 2007.

8. Encore invitation for presentation at  LAND (Liberal Arts Network for Development. A network to promote the Liberal Arts at Michigan community colleges). February 2008.