The Importance of Being Earnest: Live on Twitch

Producer, Streaming + Interactivity

Pixel Playhouse

Challenging ourselves to create a fully staged theatrical work during social distancing, the Pixel Playhouse team created “The Importance of Being Earnest” using:

• 9 performers from 7 different locations

• A remote tech team, including a director, sound mixer, stage manager, and VJ

• Zoom and Skype (with NDI integration)

• OBS

• CleanFeed, for sound effects and audio mixing

• Twitch Extensions, for audience interactivity

• and interactive overlays to create a one-of-a-kind, platform specific interactive version of the famous work.

Each performer underwent numerous tech consultations and were shipped AV kits to keep streaming quality high. The performance itself was staged in a way to break down the walls of the camera — each performer acted towards the “ghost” in the room, reflecting the feed placement on OBS and to allow for seamless storytelling for our viewers.

During the show, Lane, one of the characters in Earnest, acted as the liason between the show and the audience. He posted polls, chats, and image/video artifacts to drive conversation and keep the audience engaged. He even appeared during each intermission to provide show recaps and humerous Q+As.