Public viewing with shadows: Design of theater-type space where remote actors and audiences can coexist using the shadow as their own agents

In case of dramatic means of communication such as an improvised drama, it is well-known that the existence and function of audiences are key to the endurance of a creative story. In order to achieve this dramatic communication between remote locations, this study aimed to design and develop a theater-type coexisting space in which drama players (actors) can be positioned while being accompanied by empathetic audiences. To this end, the Waseda Shadow Communication System (WSCS) was applied; it was previously developed by the present authors to create a feeling of coexistence that could be shared with remotely located people through the exchange of body shadows. Communication space in WSCS was divided into two components with a transparent screen and a shoji (Japanese paper) screen; to each screen, shadows of drama players and audiences were projected separately. The relative relationship of each position was matched and expressed, so that a theater-type communication system was established, which comprised audiences, drama players, and their mutual stage. The shadow expression method was further investigated for audiences freely entering and exiting the theater.