Bill, Christina Myatt makes several good points in her comments. Tessa Bridal's book, published by AltaMira, is a good choice, along with the book by Catherine Hughes. In addition you might consider "Case Studies in Museums, Zoos, and Aquarium Theater" a collection of articles by practitioneers, published by AAM and IMTAL (International Museum Alliance) several years ago. The posting also reminded me of an article I had written several years ago for "History News" which described how to develop a museum theatre program with limited resources (and a strong desire for success). If you contact me off-list, I would be happy to email you a copy. Good luck in your efforts! Dale Jones Institute for Learning Innovation Annapolis MD 21401 410-268-5149 410-268-2179 (fax) [log in to unmask] www.ilinet.org On Tue, 25 May 2004 10:00:56 -0500, Christina Myatt <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >Many museums have "museum theatre" programs. These are paid staff who >create, produce, and present theatrical presentations (storytelling, >theatrical pieces, first person interpretations, demonstrations, etc) within >the museum. > >You may look to outside groups but you may not be able to guarantee the >quality of the product in your exhibit halls. You may be able to hire in >performers who will come with good recommendations and quality training. >You may also look into creating your own (even if small) museum theatre >program. Actors may be paid or volunteers, there are plenty of scripts >available out there, and you can bring in a director. > >I would do some research on the different types of programs and offerings >there are. Try going to the website for the International Museum Theatre >Alliance (www.imtal.org). This organization has members around the globe, >resources and a message board where you can get some additional help. > >A good starting resource would be the book Museum Theatre Communicating with >Visitors Through Drama by Catherine Hughes published by Heinemann. > >Tessa Bridal also has a new book out which is a wonderful resource. > >You will find many ways that things are done and many different models. >Some great examples are NJ Aquarium, Museum of Science in Richmond, VA, or >the Smithsonian. > >Good Luck. Let us know what you decide to do! > >Christina >Christina M. Myatt >Theatrical Programming Coordinator >Putnam Museum >1717 West 12th Street >Davenport IA 52804 >563.324.1054 ext. 207 (phone) >[log in to unmask] > > >-----Original Message----- >From: William Bevil <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Date: Tue, 18 May 2004 12:48:41 -0400 >Subject: Performances within Exhibitions > >> 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 >> >> ========================================================= >> Important Subscriber Information: >> >> The Museum-L FAQ file is located at >> http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed >> information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail >> message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message >> should read "help" (without the quotes). >> >> If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail >> message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message >> should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). > >========================================================= >Important Subscriber Information: > >The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l- faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). > >If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).