SIBMAS-TLA Conference: New Paradigms in Performance Documentation Working Session
TLA’s own Laurie Murphy of New York University convened one of the two final working sessions of the conference. New Paradigms in Performance Documentation consisted of a wonderful group of presentations, each focusing upon a unique performance documentation project. While the presentations were devoted to very diverse projects, together they provided insight into the common challenges organizations and institutions face when trying to preserve and make records accessible. Ultimately, this session highlighted the fact that, when faced with limited resources, collaboration is often the key to success.
The Universal Translator: The Role of the Liaison Coordinator in Digital Humanities and How to Become One
The first presentation offered an in-depth exploration of the complexity of completing a successful digital project. Eugenia Kim of Emerson College, Boston and Tanisha Jones of the New York Public Library demonstrated, through complex graphic representations, the variety and number of people that must come together in order to create a comprehensive and effective digital humanities team. Kim and Jones discussed how librarians and archivists can take on the role of liaison coordinator and the skillsets needed to do so. Neal Harmeyer of Purdue University was also a co-author of the paper.
The American Theatre Archive Project
In this presentation, Helice Koffler of the University of Washington and Susan Brady of Yale University reported on the progress of the American Theatre Archive Project (ATAP). Brady, a co-founder of ATAP, has been instrumental in the success of the project which assists active theatre companies in preserving their legacy by connecting them with local repositories and information professionals that can help them establish and maintain their archives. Koffler is the leader of the Northwest ATAP team. In addition to providing an overview of ATAP’s activities, the pair shared details of the work the Northwest team has been doing with the University of Washington’s Special Collections, the University of Oregon’s Special Collections, the Miracle Theatre Group, and the Oregon Multicultural Archives.
Facing the Future: Changing Practices in Managing the Performing Arts Archive
In the concluding presentation, Barry Houlihan of the Abbey Theatre, Dublin offered a look at how the Hardiman Library, National University of Ireland, Galway has expanded its theatre and performance archives to include records of national and regional theatres. He also provided an overview of how the Library is working to create user-friendly, digital access to the archival records it houses.
Beth Kattelman
Ohio State University