Conceptualising interaction in live performance: reflections on 'encoded'

This paper presents a detailed examination of experiences of the creative team responsible for the direction, choreography, interaction design and performance of a dance and physical theatre work, Encoded. Interviews, observations and reflection on personal experience have made visible a range of different perspectives on the design, use and creative exploration of the interactive systems that were created for the work. The work itself, and in particular the use of interactive systems, was overall considered to be successful and coherent, even while participants' approaches and concerns were often markedly different. A trajectory of creative development in which exploratory improvisation and iterative design gradually became 'locked down' in preparation for final performance and touring is described.