About the Project
The Untitled Othello Project is a digital humanities initiative documenting and preserving performance, discussion, and rehearsal sessions focused on Shakespeare's Othello, hosted by Sacred Heart University's Department of Languages and Literatures.
Our Mission
This archive serves as a resource for scholars, students, and theater practitioners interested in the ongoing cultural conversation around Othello. By making these sessions searchable and accessible across video, audio, and rehearsal recordings, we aim to support research into performance practice, cultural interpretation, and the enduring relevance of Shakespeare's work.
The Collections
The archive spans three distinct collections, each documenting a different phase of the project's creative and scholarly journey.
Video Sessions (2021–2024)
Live-streamed Othello performance discussions with YouTube video playback and synchronized transcripts. 47 sessions spanning four years of ongoing dialogue about the play's themes, characters, and cultural significance.
Audio Sessions (2021)
Ensemble read-throughs and meeting recordings capturing the cast's collaborative exploration of the text. 17 sessions from five different read-through events with in-browser audio playback.
Nine Moons: Prelude Rehearsals (2024–2025)
Rehearsal sessions documenting the creative process of a new production phase. 6 sessions from December 2024 through February 2025, featuring character work, textual analysis, and ensemble discussions with identified speaker names.
Archive Features
Hybrid Search
Search across all transcripts using keyword matching, semantic search powered by AI embeddings, or both combined. Filter by media type, speaker, emotion, date, and topic.
Synchronized Transcripts
Follow along with real-time transcript highlighting as video or audio plays. Click any segment to jump to that moment. Word-level precision available for detailed navigation.
Emotion Analysis
Computational emotion analysis using the NRC Emotion Lexicon, mapping eight primary emotions across every transcript segment. Explore patterns on the interactive timeline.
Topic Extraction
TF-IDF analysis identifies key themes and subjects across the entire archive. Browse topics to discover connections between sessions and trace thematic threads over time.
Speaker Identification
Automatic speaker diarization identifies distinct voices in each session. Navigate by speaker, filter search results by speaker, and explore individual contributions across sessions.
Accessibility
Full keyboard navigation, screen reader support, ARIA labels, adjustable reading modes (serif/sans, comfortable/compact), and dyslexia-friendly display options.
By the Numbers
Acknowledgments
This project is made possible through the support of Sacred Heart University and the dedication of faculty, students, and participants who have contributed to these sessions over the years.
Special thanks to the Department of Languages and Literatures, the School of Media and Communication and the Arts, and all collaborators who have helped bring this archive to life.
More Information
Emily Bryan, Ph.D.
- Martire Center BUCM*W311
- bryane@sacredheart.edu
- 203-396-6312
Sacred Heart University
Department of Languages and Literatures
College of Arts & Sciences
Fairfield, Connecticut