Actors: Computing dramatic characters that are on stage simultaneously

Abstract

The ACTORS computer program processes the electronic text of a play, and, based on entrance-and-exit stage directions, it provides information about which characters are on stage simultaneously; such information can inform dramatic performances, and it can indicate errors and omissions in the text. Based on a table indexed for each character showing which characters appear on stage at least once with the indexed character and on a table showing which characters never appear on stage with the indexed character, possible doubling can be calculated for a production, often with the minimum number of actors.