Visualizing Theatrical Text: From Watching the Script to the Simulated Environment for Theatre (SET)

Roberts-Smith, Jennifer, (Author)
DeSouza-Coelho, Shawn, (Author)
Dobson, Teresa M., ()
Gabriele, Sandra, (Author)
Rodriguez-Arenas, Omar, (Author)
Ruecker, Stan, (Author)
Sinclair, Stéfan, (Author)
Akong, Annmarie, (Author)
Bouchard, Matt, (Author)
Hong, Marcelo, (Author)
Jakacki, Diane, (Author)
Lam, David, (Author)
Kovacs, Alexandra, (Author)
Northam, Lesley, (Author)
So, Daniel, (Author)

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2013

3

electronic

Canadian Writing Research Collaboratory
Canadian Writing Research Collaboratory
Canadian Writing Research Collaboratory
Canadian Writing Research Collaboratory

Digital Humanities Quarterly

DHQ

3

7

English

Scholarly writing

islandora:21c9dadc-088d-4034-b1a1-e1b987ee25aa

2016-08-13T04:00:43.58Z

The Simulated Environment for Theatre (SET) offers an alternative to static, two-dimensional visualizations of theatrical text by modeling the process of moving from text to performance in the Western, text-based tradition of live theatre production. Its interface links a three-dimensional ‘Stage View’ populated by character avatars to a ‘Text View’ enhanced with text visualization tools by means of a central ‘Line of Action’ analogous to a timeline. All three parts of the interface can be edited; edits in any individual section appear in the others; and all three can be played back simultaneously. While emphasizing that the traditional medium of theatrical performance is the actor’s body moving in time and space, and providing a digital analogue for that medium, the system also frees users from the limitations of the single, time-bound spectator’s perspective. Potential applications include theatre analysis, theatre pedagogy, and preparation for theatrical production.