The following  are the research questions that we have for our project, keeping in mind our GOALS of the research for Exploring Interactive Theatre. We have formulated these questions that fit our goals and our research.

1.1  What is interactive theater?

1.2

1.2.1  How is the performance of the actors influenced by the interactive parts?
How hard/easy is it to learn how to use it? Are they comfortable with the usage? Are there any disturbances between different parts? Do they have any tips, how to improve it?

1.2.2  How did the cooperation between designers and technicians influence the creative output? What kind of problems appeared? Was there anything that made working together harder
or easier?

1.2.3  Does the audience realize the interactive parts?
Are they able to get the interaction? Are they interested in how it works? Do they like it?
Does the audience get the whole concept of the play?

2

2.1  Are there conventional techniques that could be an alternative solution for the interactive parts?
Where does conventional theater end and interactive theater start? What are the differences,
what are the similarities between conventional and interactive theatre?

2.2  What is the motivation behind putting interactive props/costumes on stage?
What is the biggest advantage of using interactive technologies in that theater play? Is the usage of interactive parts enhancing the outcome of the play?

2.3  What do actors/audience/creators expect when they take part in an interactive theater play?
Where the interactive parts distracting or did the actors/audience like it?
How would actors/audience/creators participating in the project describe the term interactive theater?

* done by Project-teams

** optional

Actors:

Semi-Structured Interview:

Our method of evaluation for the actors is a semi-structured interview, where its an open conversation but we have a set of guiding questions to cover the same topics with each participant. Questions are open and closed. Interviewer follows a framework of questions but can react to the participants individually.  By this method we are able to explore deeper into the questions and the  best way to understand the  experience of actors and experts (director, stage designer).

Observation:

In this observation method we directly observe the actors  experience and reactions to the interactive technology when they are rehearsing in their natural environment (in field) and also during the final play. We instantly observe situations and take notes  about the reaction of actors in rehearsal; thereby making the analysis suddenly(direct). In the final, (indirect) observation, we collect data about the development of the play, where the creators take notes of their activities on a regular basis; instrumenting the software to record users’ activity in a log; video-recording during rehearsals and plays.

Audience:

Questionnaire:

By using the Questionnaire method we get answers to specific questions from a large group of people, useful to confirm the conclusions from the audience after watching the play. Closed or open questions can be used to collect demographic data and users’ opinions.

“Audience Talk”:Publikumsgespräch

In the Publikumsgespräch, the audience can ask questions to the the actors, director and the creators. It is an open talk session where all question are open regarding the play, for example, questions to the actors about their acting, about the story to the director, technical questions to the creators and so on.

Observation:

In the Field observation we directly observe the audience and their reaction to the play in their natural environment. In the direct observation we instantly observe situations and take notes  about the reaction of the audience during the play; thereby making the analysis suddenly. In the indirect observation we collect diaries (=notes), interaction logs, photos and videos material to analyze later, which is useful to track the audience’s activities during the play.