The Library of Superpowers
As robots replace the human workforce, what space is there for neurodiversity?
Meet Roberta, a dyslexic robot that feels invisible but has a unique set of skills to offer the world.
In Spring 2023, we collaborated with creative technology company Copper Candle to play with Augmented Reality (AR) and investigate new ways to represent a dyslexic experience.
The Project
We started with a question about how Augmented Reality could be used in theatre for young people, and we ended up with a dyslexic robot…
In March 2023, we shared a work-in-progress concept for a show which emerged during our collaborative Research & Development period with Copper Candle. As part of the Incubator 2023 showcase at the egg, Theatre Royal Bath, audiences were invited to interact with our ideas and share their thoughts and suggestions.
The Library of Superpowers was created by Caroline Garland and Oliver Langdon (Kilter Theatre), and James Simpson (Copper Candle).
We would like to thank the following people for helping us on our journey so far:
For sharing their lived experience: Emile & Alison
For expert articulation of the dyslexic experience for young people: Jason at Calder House
Design thoughts: Ali MacDowall
A first rate break-down of what AR can do: Ed at Studio Giggle
What Next?
The Incubator showcase was just the beginning for Roberta and The Library of Superpowers…
We hope to find a place where AR can be intrinsic to the production and add something innovative, insightful and fun. Most of all, we hope we are on our way to finding a story that reveals the superpowers of dyslexic people in what could become a really moving, inspiring, curious and playful production.
There are still lots of questions though:
about ethics,
about money,
about sustainability,
about liveness.
We have a long way to travel but we are really excited about the journey. With a dyslexic robot operating the satnav, who knows what wonderful places we’ll end up!
Why Dyslexia?
Our son, Kit, has recently been diagnosed and is struggling. The school sees him as a problem to solve. We see that it is the education system that is broken. Kit is genetically atypical - he can’t spell, but he can empathise better than his peers. He is sensitive, imaginative, emotionally intelligent. We think these are great skills to nurture for the future he faces. There are plenty of other people out there who can handle the spelling.
Read more about our sharing at the Incubator Showcase.
Find out more about our work with Responsible Research & Innovation, or read about our work with Young People.
“Cutting edge, innovative, energetic, collaborative and highly creative.”
– Judges, Bath Life Awards, 2018
Partners
Copper Candle is a Creative Technology Company working to put live performance into the metaverse. They help creative teams to collaborate and iterate their ideas to create projects and productions using XR technology.
The egg theatre supports and nurtures young people as they explore a career in the arts, offer new and emerging young artists a platform for their inspirations to take flight, and strives to redress the cultural, economic and political imbalance that exists around making the arts accessible for school-aged children.
