Theater Interaction

Theater Interaction

To consider the common modern theater is to consider antisocialism. Often the edifice is a jumbled maze of unorganized and concealed spaces where individual cliques speak amongst themselves, ignoring or affronting potentially friendly strangers. The architecture lends itself to this self-perpetual cycle of non-confrontational interaction; there are no intimate spaces outside of the actual performance area that encourages social interaction with strangers. This quality of isolation is unreasonable; people should be given spaces where they have some sense of security, while at the same time freedom to interact with strangers, well knowing other strangers are already interacting with them. To that end, the concept of To See and Be Seen is introduced. Visual interaction, from a distance, with the option to convert to a personal conversation, is the easiest way to stimulate interaction between strangers. When this vision occurs from a distance, with voids and barriers in between participants, they feel much more comfortable; it is easier to divert your vision from someone if you are at a distance than when face to face. This sensation, along with a strong emphasis on building performative, is the design intent for the project.