Barkerville has been a starting point for some incredibly successful Canadian Performers:
Charlie Ross: One Man Star Wars, One Man Lord of The Rings
Julia Mackey: Jakes Gift
Shannan Calcutt: Burnt Tongue, and presently working for Cirque in Las Vegas
While Barkerville certainly doesn't claim any credit for their fantastic achievements, the skill and refinement that comes from working a character over a long run like this is a learning experience which will add to all of your performances to come.
... and it is happily noted that both One Man Star Wars and Jakes Gift were workshopped in Wells while those performers were working in Barkerville.
So if you are looking for a skill building opportunity that pays while you work your craft, you may want to consider spending a summer working in BC's premier Historic Site.
This post is to help answer some of the questions you may have about what working as a Street Interpreter in Barkerville is about. If you have any questions you can e-mail me directly and I will answer them as soon as I am able.
Town Tour:
There will be two town tours per day. The Tour starts in the Visitor Reception Center hosted by a Park Employee from the 1950's (park inception). It has a time travel overtone to it and as well is meant to help the visitor understand some of the basic points of ettiquette, and how to interact with the interpreters. We want to excite the kids and inform the parents.
The tour then moves through town with various 1870's characters popping in and out, explaining buildings and situations, and using the 'guide' as an in-between to help cross time lines in information.
Its fun and somewhat comedic, but the characters are expected to remain true to the time period and the social norms of the time period they are from.
All actors will be required to learn the 'Guide' part of the tour and 2-3 character parts of the tour.
About 45 minutes in length
Scene work:
There will be a number of scenes throughout the day taking place at different locations. These will be short (about five to ten minutes apiece) and are meant to give the audience an insight into life in Barkerville, some of the issues of the day, a connection to the people and the place, and relevant history.
Discourses:
Each actor will be giving one fifteen minute talk on one aspect of life in Barkerville. For example Hurdy Gurdy Dancing, The Assay office, Gambling etc. The actor will research their own, based on what interests them, and has the opportunity to deliver the information in creative and innovative ways.
Hosting:
The rest of the time (when not on break or changing) Interpreters are to make themselves available to the visitor for interaction on a one on one basis. They can answer questions, inform them, play with them, and in general make their visit more memorable and fun. This includes impromptu scenes with other interpreters. This is usually defined as 'Active Hosting' as we will approach the visitor and try and get them in on 'The Game' make them feel that they are a part of daily life here in Barkerville.
Stations:
As opposed to 'Active Hosting' this is an opportunity to step back from engaging the vistor directly and give them the opportunity to engage you. The Interpreter is engaged in an activity which they would have been doing in Barkerville in the time period portrayed. Mining, wood work, surveying, spinning, etc. the visitor can then approach and interact with something specific to open conversation. Input on what might be an interesting 'Passive Hosting' station is always appreciated and considered.
Also be aware that all of this information and these outlines are somewhat subject to change. Some parameters of how the work will be done could change in the next few months.
