Loneliness of remote work — a quiet illness of our time. You work at home, communicate in chats, see people via video calls. And only after a week do you notice that you haven't really talked with anyone. Chitacle offers a live conversation through a play.
What's wrong with remote work
Remote work has given freedom — and taken away chance conversations. The smoke break, lunch, coffee machine, spontaneous meeting in the hallway, the road with a colleague to the metro — all this has disappeared. A meeting video tile doesn't replace it.
Then a quiet erosion begins. Calls shrink to "let's solve the question." Chats — to emoji. Friends — to once every two weeks. And at some point you realize that the last live conversation was… when?
Why remote work is especially lonely
- There's no physical shared space.
- There are no random events. Everything happens by the calendar.
- There's no "in passing." Every meeting has an agenda.
- Video calls tire you. By the end of the day you have no strength for "another meeting."
- Neighboring in a chat ≠ neighboring in life.
What Chitacle offers
Chitacle is a format in which there's both video call and a shared agenda, but this isn't work. It's a play that you read together by roles. An hour of calm communication through the text — with a person who is also tired of formal calls.
Here you don't need "tell me what you do." Here there's a text. And through it — gradually — a real conversation.
How this is better than yet another video call
- Not about work. No work roles.
- There's structure. The play sets the rhythm.
- Doesn't drain you. Reading is easier than improvisation.
- Random things happen. Chitacle picks the partner, not the calendar.
- Home stays home. You don't need to go anywhere.
Frequently asked questions
What is Chitacle?
An online theater for two: two people read an original play by roles over video call, right in the browser. 200+ original plays and monoplays — freely distributed under CC BY 4.0. Interface in five languages.
How do I get the play text as a file?
Write to chitacle.online@gmail.com with the play's title — we'll send you the file. You learn the title during your meeting in the theater.
On what terms can I use Chitacle plays?
All plays are freely distributed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0), perpetually and worldwide, with no rights claims. The only requirement — attribution to the author (Chitacle) and links to our resources.
Can I invite viewers to the meeting?
Yes, in all formats except instant matching. The viewer joins via a personal link. The same works for online supervision: a teacher, psychologist, or coach joins the student's or client's session as a viewer.
What languages does the interface support?
The Chitacle interface is in five languages: Русский · English · Español · العربية · 中文. The play repertoire is being translated and continues to grow.
How much does it cost?
Your first meeting is on us. After that — by individual meetings or a monthly subscription.
Legal side — Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) license.
Chitacle plays are freely distributed perpetually and worldwide, with no rights claims. You may copy, distribute, perform on stage, create derivative works, and use commercially. The only condition — attribution to the author (Chitacle) and links to our resources.
Your first meeting is on us
Head to the Dressing Room at play-read.online and check the "I want to be invited" box.
Your first meeting is on us.
Enter the theaterChitacle now speaks five languages — Русский · English · Español · العربية · 中文.
We did it quietly, but properly.