> Does anyone have any good stories to tell, advice to give, or
> references for information on the best way to incorporate live
> "performances" (such as dramatic readings, or small-scale musical
> performances) into museum exhibitions?
>
> Specifically, what's the best way to go about staffing such a thing
> (utilizing sources outside of the museum itself) and what sorts of
> local acting troups or resources are ideal contacts?  Are university
> drama departments the best route?  What are the logistical concerns for
> doing this sort of thing?  Etc...
>
> -Bill

The John Rankin  House is an Underground Railroad site, and it has been
pretty  well documented that the  slave who  served as Harriet Beecher
Stowe's inspiration   for Eliza Harris was sheltered at the house.  A local
African American high school student does an impression of  Eliza  in
costume, and afterwards will field questions from the audience, still in
character.  She usually performs outside the house,  as the house is quite
small.  Another performance that has  taken place at the house (also
outside) is a  reading by Ann Hagedorn from her book about the Ripley
abolitionists, Beyond the River.  Ann has performed all over  Ohio, mainly
at libraries, schools and universities, as well as in other states.  The
Cincinnati public television   station, WCET, has developed an Underground
Railroad curriculum for   6-9th  grade called Safe Passage; it includes a
video about area Underground Railroad activity, narrated by students from
the Cinncinnati School for Creative and Performing Arts.

Susannah West
John Rankin House, Ripley, Ohio

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