Literary Encounters Online

A genre that didn't exist before

There have been meetings through an interest club. Through work. Through apps. Through blind dates. Through hobbies.

Literary encounters are a different genre. Not a club of literature lovers. Not a book club. Not a conversation about what's been read. But joint reading of an original play aloud in real time, over video call.

Between two strangers — a play. Each takes their character and speaks in their lines. The first words are already written by the author, not by you. This removes the fear of the first line and often opens themes that don't sound otherwise.

In an hour of such reading you know more about the partner than after a month of correspondence in any dating app. Not because of "tell me about yourself" — but because you heard the voice, saw the reactions, felt the person in front of you.

How literary encounters differ from ordinary ones

In ordinary meetings you speak as yourself. Social filtering switches on: you want to sound smart, witty, attractive. Every word is judged from within.

In literary encounters you speak as your character. The filter turns off. You can say a harsh line, because the character said it, not you. You can sound bewildered — the character is bewildered. You can sound passionate — the character is passionate.

Through this defense passes what is usually blocked. And a paradox: through the mask of the character the real person manifests.

Why a mediator in the form of a play

Most people are self-conscious, have barriers before the start of a dialogue, worry that any word may be perceived incorrectly. They fear that the first dialogue decides everything — and therefore they freeze.

The play gives a unified form for first contact. No need to "come up with the first message." No need to "impress." No need to "tell me about yourself." The first words are already said by the author.

This is the art of meeting: to learn to meet through a ready-made script that frees from the fear of a mistake and gives space for authenticity.

What's in the repertoire of literary encounters

• 200+ original plays. Contemporary dramaturgy, written specifically for the format of partner meetings.
• Light plays. Not serious dramaturgy for the stage, but plays that help people start communicating.
• Plays for two. For two performers — two male roles, two female roles, or mixed.
• Monoplays. For one performer and one listener — the "Read to Me" format.
• Runtime. 35–45 minutes per play, 20–25 minutes per monoplay.
• Themes. Relationships, crisis, passion, parting, encounter, farewell, anxiety, hope.
• Genres. Drama, comedy, tragicomedy, melodrama, romantic comedy, black comedy, lyrical drama, thriller, science fiction, buffoonery, absurd, miniature…

The catalog of plays isn't published — that's part of the format. Every meeting is a discovery. It isn't known in advance which play will come to the pair.

Not rehearsing — that's the point

On Chitacle there's no open catalog with play titles. This is a conscious product decision: if people read in advance and rehearse — the format will collapse.

The magic of literary encounters is in cold reading: the text opens simultaneously with the moment the curtain parts. No rehearsals, no "let's do it again." The living first reaction — that's the meeting. Not "correct performance of the play."

If you want to get the text for your own staging or for a review — write to chitacle.online@gmail.com after the meeting. We'll send the file.

Who this genre suits

• Thoughtful adults. Those who already have a history and want depth, not volume.
• Those tired of swipes. Who realized that volume doesn't lead to depth.
• Introverts and the shy. The shelter of the role removes fear.
• Couples. Joint reading — an unusual evening format for a long-tenure couple.
• Long-distance friends. An hour of joint reading brings back closeness.
• Those who understand that in meeting people the main thing isn't a swipe, but an exchange of energies.

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