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

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

Context: Redeveloping Bristol Old Vic

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

Bristol Old Vic and its place in the City

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

Bringing the Collec>ons together and connec>ng them back to the theatre 1778 Licence (held at BRO), 1778 Act (held at TC)

Managing Volunteers: First Friday Scheme Wrapathon: Volunteers at the Theatre Collec>on

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)

Using the Collec>ons to help tell the story of the theatre and the city Treasure Island Set Design (based on King Street, Bristol 1780) by Guy Sheppard, 1946

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

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

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

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.

Lighting Booth

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.

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.

1000 Seasons Past Young Company ProducHon

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

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

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

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

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