Computing in the Arts

“I’ve been onstage or backstage much of my life. My mom was very involved in directing and staging productions.” Academically, though, Matt defines himself as strictly a math and science guy. “So the computing in the arts major turns out to be a beautiful amalgamation of my strengths and interests,” he says.

Matt began marrying his artistic and scientific interests shortly after that game-programming course. Within the arts, he’s most interested in technical theatre – specifically set design and construction. “That game-programming class taught me to see the potential of creating totally original works digitally. That stuck with me, and I’ve been interested in cutting-edge technologies ever since.”

While helping to construct sets for several of the College’s theatre productions, he saw how frustrated directors get when they don’t have as much time as they’d like to rehearse actors in a completed set. Then, his script-analysis professor, who directs plays in New York, voiced the same frustrations. “That’s when the light bulb went on for me. We have tools like AutoCAD, so we have the complete set designs in hand ahead of time, but we only use them as blueprints. I realized that I could create a virtual environment using AutoCAD files. Then, by adapting motion-capture technology (think Xbox Kinect), I could figure out a way to use avatars for the actors and insert them into the virtual space. If I could do that, rehearsals could take place in completed sets weeks before the actual production. That’s what’s so great about computing in the arts. You don’t just find new ways to use old technology. You actually create totally new technologies that offer solutions and address needs that aren’t being met.”

Matt’s brainstorm became his thesis project. And, his solution to a challenge in the world of theatre may end up as a product after graduation. Now that’s computing in the arts.

Program Information

CITA students create, design and code new creativity tools for the future. From contemporary music, art and theatre production, to creating new forms of animation and digital media, to invigorating the visual and audio systems of tomorrow’s computers, and inventing revolutionary Internet Web apps and mobile applications, this program prepares students for graduate school and for productive careers in the information and arts industries.

The CITA program is partially supported by the National Science Foundation and Google.

Area Coordinators

Art history – Marian Mazzone
Computer Science – Bill Manaris
Computer Science – Chris Starr
Music – Yiorgos Vassilandonakis
Studio Art – Jarod Charzewski
Theatre – Susan Kattwinkel

Student Opportunities

Take such courses as Building Virtual Worlds, Game Programming, and Computers, Music and Art.

Accept an internship that matches your computationally creative direction.

Create a portfolio of experiences for graduate school, an industry position, or a start-up company.