Thapl is a work-in-progress, domain-specific language that eases the creation of animated slide presentations. We approach the design of this language by exploring the metaphor of theatrical plays. The classical theatrical play script, such as a Shakespearean play, has an enumeration of the dramatis personæ, scenery, then the actual text or dialogue, and actions (e.g., ‟exit chased by a bear”).

Thapl expands the declarative and imperative paradigms by introducing a model for actors and actions on those actors, and adding specialized constructs that describe actions occurring simultaneously.