Creating Verbatim Theatre from Oral Histories

Clare Summerskill is an independent academic researcher who has recently completed her PhD at Royal Holloway University of London in the Drama department. She is chair and co-founder of the UK’s Oral History Society LGBTQ Special Interest Group. She is also a playwright, stand-up and singer-songwriter.

• Introduction Part 1: Overview 1. What is Verbatim Theatre? 2. Oral History and Verbatim Theatre: Similar but Different 3. Discussions within Oral History that Inform Verbatim Theatre Processes Part 2: Ethics and Verbatim Theatre 4. Ethical Considerations and Guidelines for Verbatim Theatre Processes 5. Ethical Considerations in the Creation of Plays from Interviews with Members of Marginalised Communities and Vulnerable Narrators Part 3: Creating a Play from Interviews: Step by Step 6. Getting Started 7. The Interview 8. After the Interview: Transcribing and Preparing for the Scripting Process 9. Sculpting your Play: From Transcript to Playscript 10. Scripting Options and Techniques 11. Beyond the Script 12. Rehearsal and Experience 13. Over to You, Now! Part 4: Examples of Work by Verbatim Theatre Playwrights and Companies 14. Examples of Plays Created from Interviews Checklist for Producing your Verbatim Play Appendices Appendix 1: Approaching your Narrator – Examples Appendix 2: Sample Consent Form for an Audio Recorded Interview Appendix 3: Scripting Exercise Appendix 4: Projected Production Expenditure Appendix 5: Glossary Appendix 6: Suggested Sources for Further Information on Verbatim Theatre, Documentary Theatre, and Oral History

"This is a welcome, informative and very helpful resource for students and practitioners of oral history and verbatim theatre. In her detailed consideration of the history, ethics and practicalities of verbatim performance, Summerskill guides the reader with expertise and insight drawing on examples from world theatre and her own professional practice."Chris Megson, Royal Holloway University of London, UK