A resource and guide to presenting performances in libraries
Shows Among the Shelves is a project created for theatre practitioners looking to expand into library touring. Scary Little Girls piloted libraries performances in 2016 and 2017 thanks to Arts Council England funding. It went down a storm and in the Shows Among the Shelves resource we share what we have learnt.
Sections include:
- Romance – why libraries are a great opportunity for both the library and the theatre company
- Mystery – removing the uncertainty
- Other cultures – libraries and arts organisations are very different and have different processes
- People and places – performances which work well and utilising the right space
- Business – budgeting and ticket selling
- Local interest – libraries know their local audiences
- Large print – seven things to bear in mind throughout
- Recommended reading – further resources and contacts to make use of
- Shows Among the Shelves checklist – a question and answer sheet to confirm all the details with your library
- How the library can market the performance
- Letter of agreement between the library and the company artist
- A draft ‘terms of agreement’ document
- An example press release
- Evaluation questions
We hope it’s helpful for getting your libraries tour off the ground, it’ll be a great and rewarding experience!
