Improv Performance with Wi-Fi Enabled Costume Lights
Caileigh Marshall, Jaimie Kelley, Cynthia Turnbull · 2019
Costuming an Improv dancer with wearable, color changing lights enables a dimension of creativity where the observer controls the look of the performance in real time. The technical challenges include communication, power, and wiring; these are placed within the further costuming constraints of low bulk, durability, and ease of wear. We selected the Raspberry Pi Zero W for its small form factor that adds a mere 5 mm to the fabric thickness. We chose to use conductive thread in place of wires to limit bulk and increase ease of wear. The Raspberry Pi Zero W was not designed to be used with conductive thread, but leveraging the mounting holes for cable management allowed the substitution to succeed. As part of the Denison Fringe Festival 2019, our prototype was exhibited by Vaval Victor during the show “Evening of Readings and Dance”.