Playformance (an originally-coined term) offers the space for performance artists to rethink their art practice in new ways through the incorporation of augmentative technology. In this line of research, spontaneous hand gestures (in addition to other forms of movement) serve as a kinetic form of creative articulation, and are translated to affect projected graphics rendered live. By situating interactive technology as an extension of the artist’s expression, playformance posits that this user-authored virtual output has the potential to convey the user’s inner thoughts and/
or motives through ludic performativity. In-depth contextual inquiry and user-experience-enhancing compliance design, inform the creative and technical process of five diverse, original and custom-made networked-performances: Dissolving Self, Blendism, Havabazi Tuno, Jadoo Bänoo, and Havabazi Avesta. Findings conclude that the director must design a visceral experience for the user, which, in turn subsequently felt and understood by the audience as well. With staged performances, come a divide between the passive audience and active performer. Inspired from this, playformance also includes the conceptual development and production of Mirada, an interactive installation, in which users collaboratively engage with sensor-embedded abstract instruments through playful haptic exploration to serendipitously affect both visual and acoustic feedback in real-time.