ABSTRACT
The third part of the book provides step-by-step guidance for the reader to create their own play from oral histories. This chapter outlines the initial preparatory work that needs to be undertaken by the oral historian/playwright who embarks on such a project. For those who are not familiar with the theatre-related roles that will need to be filled by participants, titles and job descriptions are explained in detail. Advice is then provided on how to settle upon the subject matter of the piece, followed by questions relating to the project’s goal and the aims of those who initiate it. At this stage, playwrights need to decide who the intended audience is and whether the play will tour or be performed only in one venue. They also need to identify whether their play is one which will be created from interviews with a particular community, either of interest or of locality.
Settling upon a choice of dramatic production is also required and, building upon suggestions outlined in Chapter 1 of the different forms that verbatim theatre can take, additional versions of verbatim theatre work are outlined for practitioners. Questions relating to who will perform the piece, are then covered. Will they be members of a community group, students or professional actors? A brief overview of budget requirements and funding-related matters is also included.
