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
Biography
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.
"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
