School
for
Poetic
Computation
Narrative Constellations: Exploring Choice, Time, and Location-based Storytelling is a class for artists and writers wanting to explore storytelling across different formats and mediums, from objects to spaces to sunsets. From choose-your-own-adventure books to video games to immersive theater, we’ll explore stories that change and adapt according to the player’s choices. We’ll create our own interactive narratives through a series of small physical and digital projects, with a final project to play and share. Lecture topics will include a survey of various types of physical and digital interactive storytelling, including narrative installations, immersive theater, mail-based art, immersive audio and phone plays, and location-based game design. This class will teach Twine, an open-source tool for creating web-based interactive nonlinear stories. This class will also cover playtesting; audience safety and care; choice and story structures; ending construction; and documentation.
Images courtesy of teachers.
Since this is a class about creating and developing our own ideas, writing, and works together, we request that you do not use generative AI in the creative work for this class (text or image).
Laptop with webcam, smart device with audio player and camera, headphones, basic craft materials (paper, markers, etc).
This class is for you if you:
“April's class was more than just informative, it was inspirational and challenging. Her teaching style fosters a beautiful balance of clarity and experimentation for her students. I would leave each session with a sense of wonder and a drive to expand my artistic toolkit. The session topics and assignment prompts helped me recalibrate my comfort zone, reframe my practice and have a whole lot of weird, creative fun. I think about that class, no exaggeration, every dang day.”
—Andy Crocker, Narrative Constellations Spring 2023
“As an artist interested in developing interactive and participative performances but without a strong writing practice, Narrative Constellations gave me the gentle (and yet necessary) little push that finally helped me start *somewhere*. The resources and content shared among the cohort still help me shape my projects today, conceptually but also poetically and critically.
During the 10-week program at SFPC, my creative writing practice grew slowly, consciously but also confidently: April is a wonderful and thoughtful teacher, capable of nurturing a space where everyone feels safe to share bodies of work and generous feedback. Through her weekly prompts, reading assignments and office hours, she especially helped me explore what writing can be, while also challenging my self-imposed barriers.”
—Esther Bouquet, Narrative Constellations Spring 2023
April Soetarman (she/her) is an interdisciplinary artist, designer, and writer who creates public art, immersive installations, games, and weird side projects. Her site-responsive works play with the language of everyday objects and speculative institutions to explore complex human emotions. Her installations have been supported by the Seattle Art Museum, the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture, and CultureHub, among others, as well as anonymously installed in dozens of public spaces across the country. April was also known for WeirdSideProjects.com, her previously-anonymous series of ongoing experiments in code, text, and street art. Her most notable projects include The Museum of Almost Realities (2017), The Department of Emotional Labor (2019), and The End of the Day (2020). April has a BA in architecture and music from UC Berkeley and was an Experiential Design Founding Fellow at Experience Institute.
she/her
· website
· twitter
· instagram
Lee 소라 Beckwith is sometimes an educator but always a learner. They currently teach high schoolers computer science, math, and creative writing on Lenape land (Bronx, NY). Their recent research centers on rethinking classroom power dynamics through curriculum negotiation. These days, they are thinking a lot about fractals and film scores.
they/them
· website
· instagram
Applications open until Applications closed on November 17, 2025.
You can expect to hear back from us about the status of your application on December 9, 2025. Please email us at admissions@sfpc.study with any questions you have.
For 10 classes, it costs $1200 + $12.26 in processing fees, for a one-time payment. We also offer payment plans. Participants can schedule monthly payments of the same amount. First and last payments must be made before the start and end of class. *Processing fees apply for each payment.
SFPC processes all payments via Withfriends and Stripe. Please email admissions@sfpc.study if these payment options don't work for you.
For more information about what we look for in applicants, scholarships, and other frequently asked questions, please visit our applicant FAQ.
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