Your sitting in a theater and the house lights begin fade, a single question is projected into the space: “Are you ready to play?” An electronic polling device you were given lights up ready for you select “Yes” or “No.” Choose wisely, for if the you select no, the game will immediately be over. But if have chosen yes, an unidentifiable shell of a body will emerge into the space. For the next thirty seconds you see this body becoming molded into a more identifiable human shape. A projection gets masked over the entirety of this body showing flashes of different physical traits including clothing, facial features, hair, gender, race, etc. Text appears above the body saying, “Please set up Avatar.” As an audience member, you are now prompted with more questions to help build an identity for this character in front of you. “Do you identify as more masculine or feminine?” “What is your favorite color?”  While audience members are selecting their options, backstage performers in different color costumes are awaiting the results to find out who will be playing the protagonist for the duration of this evenings performance.

This is the beginning of what I am currently envisioning what my final thesis at OSU might look like. What do you think? Would you want to play?