Teaching Workshop: Digital Content and Interactive Narratives for the Theatre
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
Interactive storytelling is at the basis of the new digital theatrical formats also online: this requires knowing how to design and organise narrative content that in a transdisciplinary manner can bring together classical dramaturgical structures with the hypermedia and interactive narration typical of digital multimedia. Added to this is the issue of digital liveness and virtual environments, which have increasingly become the domain of augmented performance experiences.
Expected learning outcomes
The workshop serves to generate a greater understanding of the phenomenon of digital storytelling and the technical skills to organise new interactive narrative formats.
Lesson period: Second semester
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The workshop "Digital Content and Interactive Storytelling for Theater" aims to provide students with the skills needed to design and organize interactive narrative content in the digital realm, with a special focus on interactive performance. The dynamics of hypermedia and interactive storytelling will be addressed, exploring the world of game, video game and hypertext design. The program is structured as follows:
Introduction to Digital Storytelling:
- Definition and characteristics of digital storytelling.
- Analysis of traditional narrative dynamics and their transposition to digital.
Elements of Game Design:
- Key concepts in game and video game design.
- Role of gamification in interactive narratives.
Digital Tools for Creation:
- Presentation and in-depth study of tools used: Miro, Twine, Google Workplace, Discord.
- Guided hands-on exercises to become familiar with the tools.
Hyperstories and Meaningful Play:
- Insight into the concept of hyperdramaturgies.
- Focus on SEPHIROT® interactive storytelling writing techniques.
Interactive Performance:
- Paradigm shift in the roles of audience and creators.
- Analysis of contemporary interactive performances and social impact as a tool for engagement.
Final Project:
- Definition of an individual or group project.
- Assist in designing an interactive narrative using concepts learned.
Introduction to Digital Storytelling:
- Definition and characteristics of digital storytelling.
- Analysis of traditional narrative dynamics and their transposition to digital.
Elements of Game Design:
- Key concepts in game and video game design.
- Role of gamification in interactive narratives.
Digital Tools for Creation:
- Presentation and in-depth study of tools used: Miro, Twine, Google Workplace, Discord.
- Guided hands-on exercises to become familiar with the tools.
Hyperstories and Meaningful Play:
- Insight into the concept of hyperdramaturgies.
- Focus on SEPHIROT® interactive storytelling writing techniques.
Interactive Performance:
- Paradigm shift in the roles of audience and creators.
- Analysis of contemporary interactive performances and social impact as a tool for engagement.
Final Project:
- Definition of an individual or group project.
- Assist in designing an interactive narrative using concepts learned.
Prerequisites for admission
The workshop "Digital Content and Interactive Storytelling for Theater" is open to students from different disciplines, but minimum prerequisites are recommended to ensure effective participation. It requires:
- Basic knowledge of narrative dynamics: Students should have a basic understanding of narrative structures and storytelling conventions, both traditional and digital.
- Participation in related courses: If possible, it is advisable to have taken at least one related course that provides a knowledge base on performing arts, design thinking or similar topics.
- Basic knowledge of English.
- Basic knowledge of narrative dynamics: Students should have a basic understanding of narrative structures and storytelling conventions, both traditional and digital.
- Participation in related courses: If possible, it is advisable to have taken at least one related course that provides a knowledge base on performing arts, design thinking or similar topics.
- Basic knowledge of English.
Teaching methods
Interactive theoretical lectures, hands-on exercises using tools such as Miro, Twine, Google Workplace, Discord. Students will explore the potential of hypertexts, focusing on "meaningful play" and designing engaging narratives.
Teaching Resources
- Materials provided in class.
- Online tools such as Miro, Twine, Google Workplace, Discord (recommended use of own devices).
- A. Anglani, Sephirot - il Gioco: passaggio tra rappresentazione e simulazione. Connessioni Remote. Artivismo_Teatro_Tecnologia, n.3, 200-221, 2022;
- A. Balzola, A. M. Monteverdi, Le arti multimediali digitali. Storia, tecniche, linguaggi, etiche ed estetiche delle arti del nuovo millennio, Garzanti, Milano 2004.
- V. Del Gaudio, Théatron: Verso una mediologia del teatro e della performance, Mimesis, Milano 2021.
- J. Huizinga, Homo Ludens[1938], Il Saggiatore, Milano 1972.
- A.M. Monteverdi, Leggere uno spettacolo multimediale, Dino Audino, Roma 2020.
- A. Pizzo,V. Lombardo, R. Damiano, Interactive storytelling. Teorie e pratiche del racconto dagli ipertesti all'Intelligenza Artificiale, Dino Audino, Roma 2021.
- Online tools such as Miro, Twine, Google Workplace, Discord (recommended use of own devices).
- A. Anglani, Sephirot - il Gioco: passaggio tra rappresentazione e simulazione. Connessioni Remote. Artivismo_Teatro_Tecnologia, n.3, 200-221, 2022;
- A. Balzola, A. M. Monteverdi, Le arti multimediali digitali. Storia, tecniche, linguaggi, etiche ed estetiche delle arti del nuovo millennio, Garzanti, Milano 2004.
- V. Del Gaudio, Théatron: Verso una mediologia del teatro e della performance, Mimesis, Milano 2021.
- J. Huizinga, Homo Ludens[1938], Il Saggiatore, Milano 1972.
- A.M. Monteverdi, Leggere uno spettacolo multimediale, Dino Audino, Roma 2020.
- A. Pizzo,V. Lombardo, R. Damiano, Interactive storytelling. Teorie e pratiche del racconto dagli ipertesti all'Intelligenza Artificiale, Dino Audino, Roma 2021.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Students will be evaluated on active participation in class, practical application of techniques learned in designing interactive narratives, and on writing a final project. Attendance at the workshop is mandatory, with at least 80 percent of the hours required.
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