Action Room: A Low-Cost Hypermedia Platform for Experimental Performances and Spectacles

Abstract

This paper presents Action Room II, a low cost experimental hypermedia platform for the creation of hybrid stages targeting the needs of experimental performances and spectacles, or for interactive narratives. The main characteristic of this platform is that different media streams, theatrical lighting, humans, objects, and robotic parts can be synchronized through a software console running at a laptop. The design of such a platform was based on a thorough study of performing arts requirements, both referring to audiovisual production and to experimental programming. The adopted technical architecture of the Action Room II platform is presented, along with its implementation. The fact that the Action Room II was used for a full season theatrical play for children, which is presented in this paper, gave the opportunity for further development of the platform and conclusions for the next version.