Abstract:
To study form, structure and content of Thai contemporary theatre companies websites. It also includes a survey of theatre companies perceptions of the uses of websites and viewers responses. The information is drawn from 20 contemporary theatre websites, interviews with 10 webmasters and questionnaires sent out to 119 website-viewers. The research found out that: Thai contemporary theatre companies websites can be divided into 6 groups according to their contents and designs, which are determined by each companys socio-aesthetic concept. They are an information hub for all theatre companies, websites for community theatre companies, websites for social issues orientated theatre companies, websites for commercial theatre companies, websites for educational and youth theatre companies, and websites for contemporary Thai dance-theater companies. Thai contemporary theatre companies use the website in three different ways; as an online address and an archive of their works, as a public relation tool, and as a platform to interact with theatre-enthusiasts. Most webmasters interviewed perceive that a website should be used to provide useful and educational information for the viewers rather than to increase tickets sales. Websites cannot replace mass media in terms of promotion as it is time-consuming to create and maintain a website, as well as because of the lack of technical staff. However, innovative social network, for example Hi5, has now replaced websites and webboards as communication platform. Websites viewers are both male and female between age of 20-35, who frequently using internet but rarely visiting contemporary theatres websites. This is due to the lack of updated information and uninteresting content. Therefore, the viewers use website to acquire information about the companies activity rather than to interact.