1001 Nights with Robots

Call for Participation

1001 Nights is a centuries-old collection of stories framed by the tale of Scheherazade, who tells a new story each night to postpone her execution. These stories range from myths and adventures to moral tales, magic, and fantastical encounters.

1001 Nights with Robots reimagines this narrative tradition for a contemporary performance context where robots become characters, collaborators, instruments, or interactive elements. This new theatre project adapts the spirit of 1001 Nights into a hybrid human–robot performance environment.

Creative Robotics students (BSc, MSc and PhD) at UAL CCI are invited to propose an original short story which will be theatricalised as one of the “nights” in the production. 

You may:

  • Use robots available in the CCI robotics lab
  • Build or design your own robots
  • Combine physical robotics with digital or interactive systems
  • Experiment with new forms of robotic performance and storytelling

This is an opportunity to create, prototype, and stage work within a professional interdisciplinary theatre project.

Project Leads:

Project Schedule:

January 2026 — Three days (21,22,23 Jan 2026) of development workshops, Focused on story creation, devising, and technical experimentation.

April 2026 — Two days of production (exact days to be announced later)

  • One day for rehearsal
  • One day for performance

Following the April performance, the show is planned to be presented at additional venues and events.

How to Participate:

Send an email expressing your interest to both: h.samani@arts.ac.uk and s.akhond@arts.ac.uk

Use the subject line: 1001 nights with robots interest

Include in your message:

  • A working title or theme for your proposed story
  • A brief description (150–300 words)
  • The type of robot(s) or interactive system you expect to use
  • Any technical or spatial requirements you anticipate

This project is open to students eager to explore the intersection of robotics, performance, and storytelling.