We are frequently asked, “How does an historical interpreter differ from a re-enactor or someone doing living history?” This is a great question and the answer gets to the heart of permanent value for you and your customers.
Re-enactors and living history folks stay strictly within their character’s lifetime, many times in a certain period of the person’s life. Re-enactors and living historians are great for audiences desiring lots of facts and drama without necessarily understanding how the character may be able to help them with their own lives.
On the other hand, the primary characteristics of a true historical interpreter are below.
- Historical interpreters interact with your audience to answer their questions, whether the questions are about the character's life or a contemporary concern.
- Historical interpreters DISTILL THEIR CHARCTER’S WISDOM. Facts and drama are great but most audiences also want to know how to repeat a character’s success. They want entertainment and information!
- Historical interpreters are scholars of their characters. For example, Bill owns all three sets (1854, 1904 and 1960) of Alexander Hamilton’s original writings. Besides referencing primary source material, he also speaks with recognized scholars and authors of Hamilton. Having his feet in both worlds (scholar/author and popularizer of the lessons of history), Bill brings A DEPTH, RICHNESS AND TRUTH IN HIS ANSWERS TO YOUR AUDIENCES’ QUESTIONS!
- Historical interpreters are less concerned with the authenticity of their costumes and more concerned with the ACCURACY OF THEIR CHARACTER’S IDEAS.
- Historical interpreters KNOW THE WAY THEIR CHARACTERS THOUGHT—what criteria they used to make decisions and what drove them. Bill studies Hamilton’s ideas and actions to find consistent patterns. Armed with this information, Bill is able to project Hamilton into today and answer contemporary questions such as, “What would Hamilton say about today’s economy?”
Audiences love interacting with the historical interpreter as he stays in character. It is as close to “Disney magic” as life gets!
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