amdram.co.uk

• Apr 7th 2009 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Transcript to Script: Turning oral history into plays for stage and radio, 7th April 2010, British Library

This joint British Library/Oral History Society training course, run by Rib Davis, presents a brief history and introduction to oral history-based theatre.  The programme includes discussion of:

• the various forms which oral history theatre can take, such as strict documentary (or ‘verbatim’) theatre using named individuals
• the creation of a set of fictional characters using ‘actuality’ dialogue
• the use of oral history as research material for scripting
• Improvisation around memory without transcript
• Legal and ethical issues, and archiving the script

The course will involve practical activity, with attendees turning transcript into dialogue and action. By the end of the day participants should have a clear idea of the options open to them for creating theatre from oral history and have acquired some of the basic skills for putting together such a script. No previous experience as a playwright is necessary and previous attendance at the oral history basic training course, while desirable, is not required.  The cost of the day is £105.75 or £88.12 for members of the OHS.

For more information on the April or October course please contact Elspeth Millar via email at elspeth [dot] millar [at] bl [dot] uk; for a programme of the day and a booking form, visit the OHS training webpage (http://www.ohs.org.uk/training/transcript.php).