Prepare, cue and share a live performance text.

This workflow follows the current Sténtor app: create or import a project, prepare cues and languages in Script, operate the show from the Operator view, and let screens and audience phones follow through Live Sync.

What you need

Sténtor is designed to work in rehearsal rooms and theatres with a lightweight setup. For preparation you only need the desktop app or the web prototype. For a live room with audience phones, use a local network that the operator computer and smartphones can join.

• A Sténtor project, either created from scratch or imported from .docx, .txt, .srt, .vtt, .csv or .json.
• One operator computer for the Operator view, plus optional projection screens and audience smartphones.
• For Live Sync in a venue, a stable local Wi-Fi network. Internet is not required for the room prototype; the devices only need to be on the same network.

1. Install and open Sténtor

For development or testing, install dependencies once and choose the mode you need. The desktop build is the long-term production direction; the web and room commands are useful for testing workflows quickly.

1# install dependencies
2$ npm install
3
4# open the desktop app during development
5$ npm run desktop:dev

$ npm install
$ npm run dev

$ npm install
$ npm run build
$ npm run room

$ npm test
$ npm run build
$ npm run desktop:build

2. Create or import a project

Start from Projects. You can create a blank project, open an existing Sténtor file, or import a script. Word import recognises theatrical structure where possible: characters, speeches, stage directions and markers such as act, scene, tableau or interval.

3. Prepare cues and layers

In Script, each cue can hold original text, translations, notes and timing. Use markers for acts, scenes and intervals. Use the audio-description panel to connect descriptions to cue points and prepare a separate audio script when needed.

1{
2  "metadata": { "title": "Macbett", "company": "..." },
3  "languages": ["it", "en"],
4  "cues": [
5    { "speaker": "", "original": "...", "translations": { "en": "..." } }
6  ],
7  "audioDescriptions": [
8    { "cueId": "...", "text": "describe the visual action" }
9  ]
10}

4. Cue the show

Move to the Operator view when the project is ready. The operator advances or rewinds cues, sends blackout, monitors timing and checks what screens and audience phones are receiving.

5. Run Live Sync in the room

For a theatre test, build the app and start the room server. Sténtor publishes the project and current cue to connected screens and audience phones on the same local network.

1$ npm install
2$ npm run build
3$ npm run room
4
5# open the operator app on the computer
6# show the QR code to audience phones on the same Wi-Fi

On the audience page, spectators choose language and mode: surtitles, audio description or both. During the show they can follow the operator view automatically, while the operator remains in control of cue position and blackout.

6. Share feedback after use

Sténtor is developed through real performances. After a rehearsal or show, collect notes from the operator, translators, audio describers and spectators. The most useful feedback is specific: where the workflow helped, where it slowed down, what audiences actually used, and what should be clearer next time.