Museum Theatre

A presentation by Catherine Hughes from the Science Museum in Boston, hosted by Museum Victoria.

The Program
Catherine will talk about and illustrate a variety of performance styles in the context of using theatre in museum settings as an innovative interpretative technique.

The Presenter
Catherine Hughes has considerable experience in the field, she is a trained actor, has script writing and performance experience in developing museum theatre programs. She has formed and is the Director of the Internation Museum Theatre Alliance in association with the Boston Museum of Science. She has published a book Museum Theatre: Communicating with Visitors through Drama.

The Book
Catherine Hughes' book, Museum Theatre: Communicating with Museum Vistors through Drama, is a unique book which will open people's eyes to the power of live theatre in museum settings - its capacity to touch the heart and mind, challenge understanding, and provoke new ways of thinking about exhibits. Catherine Hughes' aim is simple: to prove that there is no more vital a tool for making a subject come to life than drama.

This solid introduction proposes a rationale and definition for museum theatre, explores its foundations, and provides a glimpse into its future. It is supported by many examples of existing programs as well as numerous frameworks for structure and style. There are helpful discussions of physical plant requirements and what to expect when using actors.