The College of Fine Arts and Communications and the College of Engineering teamed up to develop an alternate reality game. Tessera: Light in the Dark will be released in January after over a year of development by professors and students at BYU. Tessera: Light in the Dark is an interactive game about a mysterious collective of historically significant innovators, known as “The Tessera,” hunted by an even more unknown character who goes by “S.” Players navigate real-world and online computational thinking puzzles with the help of the ghosts of these famous men and women who are trying to save everything their think-tank stands for from S’s destructive tendencies. “The normal claim from educators is that the devices that we use, like a cellphone or a computer, is distracting from students’ learning,” said Jeff Sheets, Associate Professor of Communications. “An alternate reality game is a great vehicle to use for teachers because it actually reverses those relationships. Students can play this game while learning and having fun by trying to solve the mystery.” A replayable version of the game that can be condensed into a concise teaching unit will become available for classroom and home use after the live release. Teachers and students will have access to the game, both in and out of the classroom, for no cost. The Tessera players will learn principles of computational thinking (CT), which prepares them to better understand problems in computer science and technology fields. This is not a “learn-to-code” game but students who practice CT can become more confident and interested in studying computer programming. “This makes teachers the heroes because they have helped make learning interesting for students,” said Sheets. “The same tools and techniques that are used to distract students are being used to engage them, and this is the winning formula for teaching kids STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Math) subjects in the future. Students will be able to solve a puzzle while learning how to computer program. And we are bringing a little bit of the Arts to teaching STEM, they even call it STEAM now.” The game targets students ages 13-16, but aims to get more girls and minorities interested in STEM subjects. This game could potentially encourage more minorities and girls to become involved in STEM classes and careers in the future by showing them the basics of computational thinking. This game will show students that they already have the skills for computational thinking, including coding, and can encourage them to pursue STEM subjects in the future. The game developers designed a trading card game to go along with the online game because they wanted students to have an all-immersive experience. Players can use famous scientists, engineers, artists and mathematicians to claim innovations and gain higher points to win with the trading cards. Each card has a code that can be used in the online game to play against online opponents around the world. This game is designed to be both educational and fun. BYU faculty members have been working with students over the last year to develop this game. Over 30 students from various programs such as illustration, design, advertising, public relations, animation and film have worked together to create the content and to design the game. “The design of the game is two fold,” said Connor King, BFA Graphic Design student. “There is the puzzle and level design, as well as the art design and player experience, both of which are linked together.” Jeff Parkin, a BYU Theatre and Media Arts professor, and Jared Cardon, owner of partner group Tinder Transmedia developed the overall story arc of the game. Students involved created the levels, puzzles, gameplay and a majority of the art included. “After the levels were built, it was tested to see if things broke, and of course, if it was fun! If our game isn't fun, there is no purpose to making it,” said King. “It might look beautiful, and run without any errors, but if it isn't fun, we missed the mark.” Utah locals have the opportunity to attend a launch party for the game on Tuesday, January 17 from 5-7 pm in the Amber Room at the Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point. There will also be a concurrent launch with program partner Computer History Museum in Silicon Valley. The Computer History Museum will host a real-life version of the game in conjunction with the virtual game. To learn more and to receive updates on the game, register on http://thetessera.org.

Nat Reed’s puppetry class, TMA 252, performed a puppet variety show Dec. 8. during the afternoon Mask Club times. Eight students self-produced four skits, either on an ethical dilemma or on team work.

The BYU Department of Theatre and Media Arts presents The Importance of Being Earnest, a classic comedy by Oscar Wilde, beginning Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. and playing through Nov. 12. This comic masterpiece untangles the double lives of two well-to-do society-gentlemen, both of whom have assumed the same alias in order to escape the doldrums of everyday life. Mistaken identities, a mysterious friend named Bunbury and a misplaced handbag lead to unexpected turns in Oscar Wilde’s time-honored tour de force of cleverness and charm. 'People should come see the show because it's a great time,' said Stephen Moore, who plays the roles of Lane and Merriman. 'It's hilarious and has a talented cast and crew behind it ready to entertain.' TMA is pleased to present both The Importance of Being Earnest and Travesties simultaneously. Travesties, which begins Nov. 11, is heavily inspired by Earnest and though able to stand alone, the scripts for the two plays share a comparable relationship. 'There are many resonances between the two,' said Rodger Sorensen, director for The Importance of Being Earnest. 'Earnest came before and in many ways inspired Travesties. However, our production of Earnest is also being influenced by our production Travesties and vice-versa. Even though the initial inspiration was linear in time, the influence now goes both ways.' Audiences are encouraged to take the opportunity to also see Travesties beginning Nov. 11, and compare not only the two program notes, but also the productions. Dates and Times: Oct. 28–29, Nov. 2–5, 8–12, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29, Nov. 5, 2:00 p.m. (additional Saturday matinee performances) Location: Pardoe Theatre, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU Price: $10-16 Tickets: Available in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone at 801-422-2981 or online at byuarts.com

The BYU Department of Theatre and Media Arts and BYU Student Film Association present Final Cut, the student-produced, student-created film festival on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 13-14, in the Harris Fine Arts Center. Final Cut showcases a collection of the best student-made fiction films, documentaries, commercials, animations and more. The festival includes two programs labeled Program A and Program B, which feature different film selections. Both programs will be shown once each evening of the festival at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Separate tickets are required for admission to each program screening and are discounted for BYU students. Immediately following the final screening on Friday, Oct. 14, an awards ceremony will take place, with prizes for best entries in categories including fiction, non-fiction, commercials, animation and the audience favorite. Past Final Cut films can be viewed at studentfilms.byu.edu. Writer: Preston Williamson See more photos. >>>>>> Dates & Times: Program A: Oct 13, 7 p.m. & Oct 14, 9 p.m. Program B: Oct 13, 9 p.m. & Oct 14, 7 p.m. Location: Pardoe Theater, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU Price: $4-5 Tickets: Available in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone at 801-422-2981 or online at byuarts.com

“Where does the power come from to see the race to its end?” pondered Eric Liddell moments before his 1924 Olympic victory in Paris. “From within.” In March 2017, the true-to-the-faith stories of British runners Liddell and Harold Abrahams will be rekindled in a live stage production of Chariots of Fire as part of the BYU theatre season. The desire for a BYU production of the play ignited from its origination in London’s Roundhouse Theatre and subsequent West End production in 2012 during the London Olympic Games. BYU Arts producer Jeffrey Martin attended a performance and immediately hoped to be able to produce the play in Provo. READ MORE AT BYU ARTS>>>>>>