A case study of how a Theatre and its Archive can work together with - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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May 19, 2023 514 likes •871 views

A case study of how a Theatre and its Archive can work together with Volunteers to explore and retell its history Emma Stenning, Chief Executive, BOV; Lucy Hunt, Outreach Producer, BOV; Jo Elsworth, Director of the University of Bristol Theatre

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A case study of how a Theatre and its Archive can work together with Volunteers to explore and retell its history

Emma Stenning, Chief Executive, BOV; Lucy Hunt, Outreach Producer, BOV; Jo Elsworth, Director of the University of Bristol Theatre Collection

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Context: Redeveloping Bristol Old Vic

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Coopers’ Hall, 1754 Auditorium, 1766 Moro works, 1972 Anniversary works scope

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Bristol Old Vic and its place in the City

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The Bristol Old Vic Archive (1946 – current) 168 boxes plus volumes and outsize items Bristol Old Vic archive already catalogued: 622 boxes Bristol Vic archive material reboxed and listed: 144 boxes Bristol Old Vic ‘related’ material newly listed: and The Theatre Royal Bristol Archive (1627 –current) 1,500 items rela>ng to the history of theatre and the building

The extent of the project: Bristol Old Vic Archive (TC) and the Theatre Royal Bristol Archive (BRO)

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Bringing the Collec>ons together and connec>ng them back to the theatre

1778 Licence (held at BRO), 1778 Act (held at TC)

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Wrapathon: Volunteers at the Theatre Collec>on

Managing Volunteers: First Friday Scheme

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Archive volunteer roles at TC and BRO

Enhancing cast informa>on from programmes and cast lists etc, iden>fying people in photographs, repackaging playbills

1973 Season brochure (TC), Peter O’Toole publicity photograph (TC), Playbill 1814 (BRO)

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Treasure Island Set Design (based on King Street, Bristol 1780) by Guy Sheppard, 1946

Using the Collec>ons to help tell the story of the theatre and the city

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Why Develop Bristol Old Vic as a Heritage Destination?

Celebrate and create new Heritage
New audiences
Day>me economy
Display archive material from the Theatre Collec>on and

Bristol Record Office

Build rela>onships with partners who are experts
To empower staff and volunteers
To encourage new research into the history of the theatre
To collaborate with organisa>ons and educa>on providers

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Themes and Approaches of the Heritage Project ProtecHng and sharing the heritage of Britain’s oldest theatre A collabora>on between a historic building, word class archives, and a pioneering crea>ve company; brought to life by a programme of public engagement that will reveal 250 years of storytelling, inspiring explora>on, involvement and repeat engagement

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Our Interpretation principles

Open, accessible and inclusive
Empower people to discover and explore for themselves
Draw ongoing inspira>on from the archives
Playful and ar>culated with theatrical imagina>on
original and digital archive material
Visitors feel represented in the displays
Recognise visitor’s crea>vity
Champion warmth of welcome and be outward looking

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A large-scale projection of people walking in and out through the different doors from different time periods is projected onto the rear wall of the foyer, as this is the original front wall of the theatre.

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Lighting Booth

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The curved wall around the rear of the auditorium has a >meline painted on it, illustra>ng the history of the theatre and it’s amazing

survival. Some elements are painted using conduc>ve ink, making the wall an unexpected interac>ve surface: lights come on, audio is

played, and anima>ons are seen. Apparent windows into the auditorium offer in>mate moments of discovery and delight. Small digital screens embedded into the wall either show a video feed from the auditorium, or archive film of performances from the last 20 years. Alongside the posters, this directly highlights the connec>ons between past and present. As with other elements the visitor has to open small doors to find the windows.

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The curved wall behind the auditorium is covered with an artwork that makes use of the extensive playbill

collection. Fascinating in themselves, they give a sense of how much theatre experiences have changed in

250 years, and how much they have stayed the same.

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1000 Seasons Past Young Company ProducHon

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Our Audiences

Primary and Secondary schools
Bristolian Families
Academic and ar>s>c audiences and specialist interest groups
Tourists
Bristolian Third Space Seekers
Current theatre audiences

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Summary of Project Activity:

Heritage InterpretaHon and Digital Heritage Adventures

The House is Open film
The Memory of Theatre
A family treasure hunt
Heritage focused web pages

Heritage in Focus Programme

Installa>ons and exhibi>ons of archive material and a seasonal programme
A tailored package of tours
Place based learning ac>vity
Handling toolkit and resources
A family outreach programme
Performance pop ups and Pre-show talks
Interac>ve family workshops
‘Performing the Archive’ day workshops
Doors Open Day
INSET training for teachers

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Summary of Project Activity: Heritage Ambassadors

‘First Friday’ archive volunteering sessions
Volunteering opportuni>es at Bristol Record Office
Volunteer heritage ambassadors
On the job and specialist training for volunteers
A one-year traineeship in heritage interpreta>on and digital content

development

A one-year traineeship in heritage programming for schools and families
Heritage Inspired staff training
A Heritage Sub-Commifee
Focussed work with our target audience

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The Role of Volunteer Heritage Ambassadors

Regular volunteering at Bristol Old Vic
Managed by the Heritage Engagement Manager
Role related training for volunteers
Group training sessions
Volunteers will be recruited from a number of routes
Volunteering will be designed to be flexible and project specific
2 Volunteers x 80 sessions from a pool of 10 volunteers

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Heritage Ambassador Role Description

The volunteer role: Volunteer Heritage Ambassadors will play a central role in helping people engage and enjoy the heritage of the theatre. Ac>vi>es could include:

Welcoming the public and engaging them in the history of the theatre to enhance their

visit

Suppor>ng the delivery of heritage engagement ac>vity including: schools workshops,

tours, pop up events, interac>ve family workshops

Helping families use the heritage treasure hunt to explore the theatre
Encouraging visitors to join in with ac>vi>es by taking part yourself
Answering visitor queries and providing quality customer service
Offering informa>on and promo>ng visitor engagement with the interpreta>on scheme
Talking to visitors about the Protec<ng and Sharing the Heritage of Britain’s Oldest

Theatre Project

Carrying out surveys and evalua>on on and off site
Taking part in relevant training and championing an inclusive approach in all work