Past into Present

First-person interpretation--the portrayal of historical<br/>characters through interactive dramatization or roleplaying--is<br/>an effective albeit controversial method used to bring history<br/>to life at museums historic sites and other public venues.<br/>Stacy Roth examines the techniques of first-person interpretation<br/>to identify those that have been most effective with audiences<br/>while allowing interpreters to maintain historical fidelity.<br/> <i>Past into Present</i> focuses on first-person<br/>interpretation's most challenging form: the unscripted<br/>spontaneous conversational approach employed in living history<br/>environments such as Plimoth Plantation in Massachusetts Conner<br/>Prairie in Indiana and Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. While<br/>acknowledging that a wide range of methods can touch audiences<br/>effectively Roth identifies a core set of practices that combine<br/>positive communication techniques classic interpretive<br/>philosophy and time-tested learning theories to promote audience<br/>enjoyment provoke thought and inquiry convey important messages<br/>and themes and relate to individual visitor interests. She<br/>offers numerous examples of conversation and demonstration<br/>strategies visitor behavior profiles and suggestions for<br/>depicting conflict and controversy and she provides useful<br/>character development guidelines interpretive training advice and recommendations for adapting first-person interpretation for<br/>diverse audiences.