Developing a Data Model for Theatre Productions in a Wikibase Instance: A Case Study Approach

The ephemeral nature of theatre and its performances present challenges for its digital representation. This article presents a data model developed as part of the master’s thesis Modelling Characteristics of Theatrical Production in Wikidata that captures both structural and scenographic aspects of stage productions. Drawing on Ferdinand von Schirach’s Terror as case studies, a data model was developed that can map productions, costumes, spatial settings, and interactive audience elements. Implemented in a Wikibase instance, it enables complex SPARQL queries on these elements of productions as well as roles, and casts. This approach demonstrates how theatre works can be modelled as Linked Open Data, thus advancing digital research on and about performance and staging.