Final answer:
Verbatim theatre is a subcategory of Documentary Theatre that uses testimonies from witnesses or people involved in the event or issue depicted. Well-known examples of verbatim theatre include "The Exonerated" by Erik Jensen and Jessica Blank, and "The Laramie Project" by Moises Kaufman and Tectonic Theatre Project. Verbatim theatre pieces are based on real documented stories and often include lines from personal interviews conducted by the playwright.
Step-by-step explanation:
- Verbatim theatre is a subcategory of Documentary Theatre that uses testimonies from witnesses or people involved in the event or issue depicted.
- Well-known examples of verbatim theatre include "The Exonerated" by Erik Jensen and Jessica Blank, and "The Laramie Project" by Moises Kaufman and Tectonic Theatre Project.
- In verbatim theatre, the performers do not portray characters; instead, they speak the words of real people.
- Verbatim theatre pieces are based on real documented stories and often include lines from personal interviews conducted by the playwright.
- The primary difference between a documentary and a documentary theatre piece is the medium and the narrative.
- Verbatim theatre is presentational and direct, with minimal support from other theatrical elements like costumes or scenery.
- Verbatim theatre often aims to give voice to marginalized or unheard narratives.
- Some verbatim theatre productions are created using archival material in addition to interviews.
- A notable verbatim theatre production is "The Exonerated," which tells the stories of six wrongfully convicted people who were exonerated from death row.
- Another significant verbatim theatre piece is "The Laramie Project," which explores the impact of the murder of a gay University of Wyoming student on the Laramie community.