FAQ — GENERAL
What is The Orchard about?
The Orchard is a new adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard, which follows the formerly-wealthy landowner Lyuba Ranevskaya and her family as they face foreclosure and the loss of their ancestral home, including the beloved cherry orchard.
How long is the performance?
The Orchard runs just under 2 hours, with no intermission.
What’s the difference between the in-person and virtual experiences?
The Orchard in-person is a full production of The Cherry Orchard, in a new adaptation. The Orchard/an auction/ is a web-browser based interactive virtual experience that combines live video broadcast from the theatre with other interactive content exclusively available to online viewers.The two experiences complement each other but are unique, with the online experience featuring an interface with the ability to change your love camera perspective, interact with other online viewers, and meet characters that only appear online. As the performance progresses, the two experiences intersect, with virtual audience members discovering they will play an important role in pivotal moments in the live stage show.
Is it worthwhile to watch both versions?
Yes! Each version contains scenes, characters and other special content not seen in the other, to create two unique experiences. If you want to see everything The Orchard has to offer, we recommend seeing both if possible!
Does the entire cast appear live in person?
Yes! Both the in-person production and virtual production feature the full cast live onstage.
FAQ — VIRTUAL PERFORMANCE
How will I access the virtual performance?
After purchasing a ticket to the online performance, patrons will receive several emails from the venue’s box office in the days and hours leading up to the live performance.This email will contain a direct link and detailed instructions on how to experience the show. All of the information you need to access the show will be contained there. Remember, the online experience happens simultaneously with the in-person performance, so make sure to be on time so you don’t miss anything.
How early can I log on to the performance page?
When you arrive on the performance page, you will be directed to enter the password you recieved in your email. Your password will become active and grant you access to the site 20 minutes prior to each performance. Remember, all performance times are in EST.
What kind of device can I watch on?
The digital performance is only available using a laptop or desktop computer. It will not function correctly on a mobile device like a phone, tablet, or iPad.
What are the technical requirements for the digital production?
The performance is most compatible with the Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari web browsers. We strongly recommend your computer be connected to a wifi or ethernet network with internet speeds of at least 20 megabytes per second. You can visit https://www.speedtest.net/ to perform a quick test. If your computer does not meet these guidelines, you may experience issues with the performance. Please contact the box office for support so we can provide assistance.
Do I need any special equipment?
If your laptop or desktop computer has one, the digital experience will request access to your webcam during the onboarding to the show. This camera is used for interactive elements that will enhance the performance and connect you with other audience members. Also please ensure that you have speakers or headphones connected to your computer and that they are unmuted.
Do I have to watch the virtual performance at a certain time?
Yes! Your ticket grants you access to the performance only at the specific date and time listed. It streams live in real-time, so please make sure to log on early to ensure that you don’t miss anything!
Can I pause or rewind the virtual performance?
No.
Is closed captioning available?
Yes! Closed captioning can be enabled using Google Chrome's Live Caption feature. Click here for instructions on how to enable this.
How can I ensure the best possible viewing experience?
-
Watch on a desktop or laptop computer.
-
Use one of the web browsers listed above.
-
Make sure your computer has good speakers or headphones connected and is unmuted.
-
Close out of all other tabs, apps, and programs before the show.
-
Connect a webcam or use the webcam inside of your monitor.
-
Log on early to make sure everything is working properly before showtime.
TROUBLESHOOTING — VIRTUAL PERFORMANCE
I see a page that looks like an auction site and is asking for a password. What do I do?
You're in the right place! This is the front page of the digital experience. Please enter the password you received in your email with instructions on accessing the show. Remember, you will only be able to enter your password and move past this page beginning at 20 minutes prior to the show start time.
When you get to the video player page, you will see a collection of looping instructions on how to prepare for the experience. Please follow the instructions carefully so you are ready to go! You will be guided with instructions throughout this portion of the show.
I’m being asked to create an account with my email and a new password, do I need to create an account?
Yes, prior to entering the password to enter the performance page, you should click the icon In the top right of your screen, and you will be presented with a register/login option. Please create an account, as this will be used for the chat feature during the performance to speak with other users and request support. Once you have created an account with an email and password, you can enter the site by entering the password and clicking «SUBMIT».
Once I am on the performance page, I’m being asked in a panel on the right for my name and email for an auction and I don’t want to participate, what do I do?
As the show progresses, this auction panel is activated and is part of an interactive moment connecting the in-person and virtual audience. Participating in the auction is completely optional. Please note that the auction panel is not a binding auction, but is part of the performance itself and we encourage all to participate! For those who choose to participate the highest bidder will be contacted via email and given the chance to purchase the digital art piece being auctioned. If you do not wish to participate in the auction, simply don’t bid on the auction item.
Once I am on the performance page, I’m being asked in a panel on the right to activate my webcam to participate, but I don’t want to share it, what do I do?
While we strongly encourage activating your webcam for the performance, as it will be used for several interactive moments between you and other audience members, you are not required to. You can simply not enter your name in the webcam panel on the right and it will not be activated.
My video player is glitchy / freezing / not appearing on the performance page.
Most of the time, errors or glitches can be fixed by simply refreshing your browser window. If that doesn’t fix the issue, please double check that you have a stable internet connection of at least 20 megabytes per second and are using a desktop or laptop computer. If you continue having issues, please reach out to the box office to request support.
The video / audio / interactive is slow/not synced.
IEnsure that you have a stable internet connection of at least 20 megabytes per second. You can visit https://www.speedtest.net/ to perform a quick test. If your internet connection is insufficient, you may encounter lag or other errors during the experience. If you’re not able to get a stable connection please reach out to the box office so that we can assist you.
What if I have technical issues when trying to watch the performance?
If you experience difficulties, please reach out to the box office for support at 617-942-0022, or email us at boxoffice@arlekinplayers.com and one of our staff will help with troubleshooting. If you are on the site and able to access the chat window, you can also reach out to us there and we can assist you. Please try to log on early so that we will have time to help you with any unexpected issues in advance of showtime!
