As part of an Interaction Designs Methods class at SFU our team worked on a term project that explored various concepts in usability and interaction design. After weeks of utilizing these methods, th e project eventually lead to designing a concept for a digital solution for a local theatre company in Coquitlam named Second Storey Theatre.
As part of an Interaction Designs Methods class at SFU our team worked on a term project that explored various concepts in usability and interaction design. After weeks of utilizing these methods, th e project eventually lead to designing a concept for a digital solution for a local theatre company in Coquitlam named Second Storey Theatre.
At the beginning of the semester our team chose a group in order to carry out the project's user testing, concepts, and design approaches. The goal of the course was to apply various methods of interaction design strategies to a final concept directed toward the chosen group.
At the beginning of the semester our team chose a group in order to carry out the project's user testing, concepts, and design approaches. The goal of the course was to apply various methods of interaction design strategies to a final concept directed toward the chosen group.
Each week we presented our data by creating visual documents that outlined our findings, as well as shared various elements from the usability methods we practiced.
The Second Storey Players are a formal group that get together at Second Storey Theatre on a weekly basis for performances and paid classes. To join this group, participants must audition every three months to cement their place in the program. This requires a certain level of skill and ability. The members share interests outside of the theatre and socialize as a group outside scheduled classes and shows.
The Second Storey Players are a formal group that get together at Second Storey Theatre on a weekly basis for performances and paid classes. To join this group, participants must audition every three months to cement their place in the program. This requires a certain level of skill and ability. The members share interests outside of the theatre and socialize as a group outside scheduled classes and shows.
There are four major human components to the Second Storey Theatre experience.
Second Storey is built on the engagement between all stakeholders in the theatre experience
Second Storey is built on the engagement between all stakeholders in the theatre experience
The DirectorOwns and operates the Second Storey Theatre company in Coquitlam, BC
Directs and MC’s shows, choosing what games are being played and eliciting instructions to the audience
Works with actors during training sessions to help them grow and improve as performers
The PlayersWork their way up from improv classes to becoming members of the regular performing group
Under the direction of Graham, the company director, they meet weekly to practice their improv skills
Always converge post-show to discuss the night’s show, work on improvements and critique each other’s performance
The AudienceEncouraged to engage when prompted (yelling suggestions, answers, participation games, etc.)
Supports the theatre through ticket sales, concession sales, word of mouth advertising
Potential to become part of the acting community by signing up with the Second Storey Improv group
The TechiesMade up of a small collection of members in the improv group, taking turns running the booth at shows
Support the show by adding sound effects, lighting, and other technological help
Need to have quick access to resources, such as sound bites and music, in order to effectively support audience suggestions and improv gestures
Seek out inspirational data with cultural probes (equipped with artifacts such as mood cards, madlibs, postcards) and given to different stakeholders in the company
Seek out how stakeholders create and think about their craft through participatory exercises, such as collaging, sketching, and brainstorming
Explore potential painpoints and design solutions by roleplaying scenarios in informance videos.
As part of the format we brainstormed various concepts and iterated them down to two main ideas. We took the Players’ passion for growth and refinement of craft, as well as the audience and theatre’s lively community, to create concepts that enrich the theatre experience.
Actors already create personal goals and utilize feedback from their peers and directors. One goal was to help facilitate this process throughout all the channels of the Second Storey Theatre system.
Actors already create personal goals and utilize feedback from their peers and directors. One goal was to help facilitate this process throughout all the channels of the Second Storey Theatre system.
The Second Storey Players are dedicated and passionate about improving their skills, but can only meet limited times throughout the week. Having the tools to practice outside of meetings extends the platform for improvement.
Actors have a close relationship with the director who strives to bring out the best in all his players. The concept seeks to help the players access this mentorship beyond the limits of the theatre floor.
Actors have a close relationship with the director who strives to bring out the best in all his players. The concept seeks to help the players access this mentorship beyond the limits of the theatre floor.
The Second Storey Theatre group plays to a comparatively small community but has the potential to grow. In order to grow the theatre we aimed to strengthen the theatre connecting the community together, increasing ways for the audience to interact with the theatre experience.
The Second Storey Theatre group plays to a comparatively small community but has the potential to grow. In order to grow the theatre we aimed to strengthen the theatre connecting the community together, increasing ways for the audience to interact with the theatre experience.
Finally our last goal was to help both players and audiences alike be better equipped with knowledge about improv and theatre
