I'm working with SITI Company on a project that uses social media to build, connect and strengthen SITI’s international community of students and audiences through the creation of SEE (SITI’s Extended Ensemble).
Rooted in SITI's commitment to international collaboration and the fostering of young artists, SEE uses social media to connect a community of artists and audiences, using an ensemble theater context to bridge virtual and “real” worlds by developing an online tool that fosters collaboration.
Just today, Andrew Taylor writes about Charles Leadbetter's new book We-Think, which suggests that our traditional view of how innovations enter the market -- special people in special places creating things that are pushed down the pipeline to passive and waiting consumers -- is no longer true, if it ever was. Rather, the traditional, corporate approach to creativity and innovation is decreasingly able to develop radical innovation, and spends much of its time stifling the innovation of talented and networked amateurs [and professionals, I'd add].
One of the things that's most interesting about the SITI project is its potential to become a model for the performing arts field, encouraging peer-to-peer collaboration and invention.
SITI has submitted the proposal for support from the NetSquared community, which was developed to spur responsible adoption of social web tools by social benefit organizations. 20 projects will be chosen for support through a membership voting process, and anyone with an interest in this work can join NetSquared. (Apart from the opportunity to vote, you can participate in a great conversation and draw on a growing resource base.)
We'd love for you to vote for SEE and you can find the project description here.
The link to vote is here. (you'll have to register on the site)
For an offline snapshot of all the projects you can download N2Y2_Voter_Booklet.pdf.
[post update]
Martin Denton at nytheater i asked me to clarify the phrase "bridging virtual and real worlds". A more straightforward explanation:
Exploring ways to turn online connections into face-to-face connections - a networking meeting, getting out the vote, getting audiences into theaters. And to turn face-to-face connections into online communities. Deepening the impact of a performance or a workshop by creating a space for dialogue, shared tips, questions and, ultimately, repeat attendance. This is the potential of these tools - a seamless loop of participation.
The Howard Dean campaign and MoveOn are early examples. MySpace is tremendously effective for promoting music and spoken word concerts (and, increasingly, other events). Last year’s Los Angeles immigration protests by young people were organized online.
Thanks, Martin, for reminding me to translate the geek speak!
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