Since 2015, I have been directing an experimental carnival called City of Play in Pittsburgh, PA. We have designed and facilitated dozens of original, physical games for public and private settings. The term “carnival” refers to seasonal civic celebrations throughout the world.
We maintain a large selection of games and activities for public events. Some games are very traditional, and some are entirely original. Each gathering responds to different cues. Our job is to bring the right games to the right people
An augmented reality game where a volunteer "host" pilots a trained "surrogate" body in a social setting through the use of embedded cameras and transmitted vocal commands. The host attempts a timed mission which requires their surrogate body to interact with and persuade members of the public.
The Surrogates Program premiered at the 2017 CREATE festival in Pittsburgh, PA.
Ludovia is a fitness class for social skills.
It combines elements of martial arts, dance, theater, team sports and community organizing and is the technique used by City of Play to train its staff and volunteers.
Ludovia received the 2017 US Play Coalition's Action Grant to pursue the development of public classes
Small Precious Objects invites players to fill an empty envelope with a small precious object of their choosing. Once filled, it is wax-sealed and dropped into a birdcage. The player is then allowed to take another envelope out of the birdcage. A small, precious object given by an earlier player.
The game has continued for three years with a constantly changing selection of objects.
It is a simple challenge to trust in the generosity of strangers.
Starting in 2016 with The Return of Zahhak, City of Play has been conducting large playable mythologies called Fantastic Adventures. They combine local folklore with ancient moral dilemma in an immersive game, played over several hours
on March 23rd, 2019, City of Play led an expedition to recover a legendary treasure, buried by 20th century explorer, H.P. Witherspoon. We recovered the crate and revealed a portensious mystery.