Creating Verbatim Theatre from Oral Histories

This book provides a roadmap for practicing verbatim theatre, drawing upon oral history scholarship to bring best practices from that discipline to theatre practitioners. It offers a step-by-step guide to creating plays from interviews, with practical guidance for determining the scope of a theatre project. Supported by international case studies, it is the perfect guide for oral historians producing dramatic representations of the material they have sourced through interviews, and for writers creating professional theatre productions, community projects, or student plays.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 202 pages
Publication date: 14 September 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Offering a comprehensive roadmap for practitioners of verbatim theatre, which derives its inspiration from oral histories, this book delves into the intricate processes of theatre through the lens of oral history scholarship. It provides a deep understanding of theatre practices by integrating insights from oral history, thereby enriching the artistic landscape.

The book begins by providing an overview of oral history and verbatim theatre, exploring the ways in which existing debates in oral history can inform and enhance verbatim theatre processes. It also emphasizes the crucial ethical considerations that arise when working with narrators from marginalized communities, ensuring that their voices are heard and represented authentically.

In the subsequent chapters, the book offers a step-by-step guide to creating plays from interviews. It provides practical guidance for identifying narrators, conducting interviews, developing a script from excerpts of interview transcripts, and outlining various approaches to creating verbatim theatre productions. By intertwining an explicit discussion of oral history with theatre based on personal testimonies, the reader gains a profound insight into both fields and the close relationship that exists between them.

To support its arguments, the book is accompanied by international case studies that showcase a diverse range of working methods and productions. These case studies include notable examples such as The Laramie Project and Parramatta Girls, providing valuable insights into the creative processes and outcomes of verbatim theatre. Whether you are an oral historian seeking to produce dramatic representations of the material you have sourced through interviews, a writer creating professional theatre productions, community projects, or student plays, this book serves as an invaluable resource.

Weight: 332g
Dimension: 152 x 227 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367181505