Operationalizing Theatrical Rhythm: Comparing Stopwatch-Based and Speech Recognition Methods for Measuring Speaking Rate

Capturing rhythm in theatrical rehearsals is complex due to the ephemeral nature of live performance. This study compares manual timing and automated speech recognition (using Vosk) to track speaking rate as a proxy for rhythmic transformations in two productions by Arthur Nauzyciel. By distinguishing between fluctuations (timing variations) and mutations (structural changes), the analysis reveals how each method uncovers different facets of creative evolution, while also exposing the limitations of speech technology in theatrical contexts.