The project takes the form of an improvised play with multimedia elements. Instead of a traditional theater stage, the action takes place on a video screen. Instead of traditional theater sets, the story unfolds on "virtual sets" or computer composited locales. The audience can interact with the actors by means of online chat.
Below is a video that uses puppets to show a scaled down version of how this interaction might work.
There are six actors who work together to improvise scenes based on suggestions from the audience. These scenes are then acted out on a large video screen showing the actors composited with the virtual sets. The compositing effect is accomplished through chromakeying. In the chromakey process, the actors are videotaped against a green screen. A video mixer such as the Korg KrossFour is used to "key" out the green color from the video and replace it with the virtual set from the computer.
There is a monitor that the actors can use to see themselves on the virtual sets.
The style of improvisation used is called a "Harold," in which several improvised scenes are presented one after each other and then revisited in turn with a jump in time or locale. The aim is to create multiple plot lines that can resonate with each other or intertwine.
In addition to the actors, there is a computer operator who also acts as an improviser. The computer operator has a database of music, sounds and backdrops which he or she can use to contribute to the improvised scene. This database is handled by a computer application called Grid Pro, which stores the video files and displays them with thumbnails. The computer operator can choose to project a backdrop that mirrors what the actors are portraying or he or she can choose to project something that takes the action to a new locale or signals a new scene.
For example, one of the actors could be miming folding clothes and the computer operator could then project a video or image of a Laundromat in order to add to the representation of the scene. Or he or she could project a picture of a Western ranch, in which case the actor doing the folding would have to adapt to the reality of the new locale and justify the folding action in the new context. The computer operator can also initiate a new scene by presenting a sound, video or image that the actors must respond to.
Audience participation is done via online chat. There will be a wireless Internet connection so that audience members can go to the chat page and type in suggestions for the scene. There is also a computer set up at the front of the audience so that audience members without computers can send in their suggestions. These suggestions can change the direction of the scene or start a new scene. For example, the audience members can suggest a change in location for the action. Or they can suggest an action for one of the actors to take, for example to kill one of the other actors.
In traditional theater improvisation, audience suggestions are communicated by shouts from the audience. By using a silent method of communicating suggestions, the flow of the narrative is not interrupted. In addition, suggestions can come throughout the scene instead of only at the beginning of scenes, as is usually the case.
I am currently trying to develop a timeline for the project build. I have been using a program called Gantt Project to do this.
My goal is to start work on the initial beta, aiming at a first trial performance in mid Aprill followed by a peformance in early May. The immediate challenges include incorporating the chat application, testing the video database and finding actors.