■ Digital technology and the Internet allow for a democratisation of the producer/audience member relationship, and increasingly, it is possible to think of a two-way communication which extends beyond polite applause within the theatre building.
■ Consideration :
a) the extent to which a new kind of audience involvement is created and the implications of these new levels of access
b) the ways in which these theatres are redefining their relationships with their audiences through digital technology and redefining with their public images
c) how effective the approach taken might be in developing a new generation of theatregoers and in creating an engaged debate about the role of the theatre in the twenty-first century
■ Stagework - National Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Birmingham Repertory Theatre
a) http://www.stagework.org.uk
b) Henry Ⅴ, His Dark Materials, Beasts and Beauties, The Crucible
c) interviews, extracts from rehearsal and performance, introduction,
a plot synopsis, rehearsal diary, lessons plans
d) an exciting array of materials that can be used in a variety of ways by a wide range of users. The flexibility of the approach offers users the ability to interact with the material in a non-linear way.
e) the audience model of a passive individual
f) the purpose of government-sponsored theatre, government-funded theatre's citizenship and religious lesson
g) extends the work of these theatres and gives access to their working practices but in a way that is entirely controlled both in content and in form by the project's creators
■ Exploring Shakespeare: Hamlet and Macbeth-The Royal Shakespeare Company
a) http://www.rsc.org.uk/learning/hamletandmacbeth/
b) interviews, video clips, particular themes, the guidance for teachers, the activities
c) While the Stagework project provides the students with an approach that is televisual, the Exploring Shakespeare project represents an approach that is far more influence by the publishing history of the texts and the performance history of the plays.
d) The audience member remains passive and at a distance.
e) very contained and controlled approach
■ 'Adopt an Actor' Scheme-Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
a) the participatory project of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
b) 'Adopt an Actor' Scheme : actors - internet - audiences
c) on-line communication : video conferencing, mail, blog,...
d) contents about an actor's experience, rehearsal notes, thought and ideas…
e) creative use of digital technology to engage students in the theatrical process
f) 'Practice-led resources for the study of Shakespeare'
g) The participatory, non-hierarchical nature of the communication : real power and simplicity of the technology
h) further information about AAA : http://www.globelink.org/adoptanactor/
i) http://www.globelink.org
j) examples of blogs : http://www.globelink.org/adoptanactor/blogs/
