Interpretive Circles
by Charles Knutson
January 1994
Introduction and Bylaws
Interpretive
Clothing
Scottish Culture
History
Music and Dance
Military Life
Language
Bibliography, Sources
and Library Materials
The diagram illustrates the range of patrons at events. It is adapted from a similar one in the book Performing the Pilgrims. The proportional size of each group obviously varies with each event.
Tourists: The largest number of visitors might be described as tourists -people out for a day trip, but not really planning on learning anything. They are there to look at some of the "neat stuff", or to gawk at things which are unusual in their day-to-day world. Their degree of involvement with our activities is often superficial. At best, they are often just there to be entertained.
Browsers: as I have called them, are smaller in numbers than the tourists, but are more receptive to our activities. They are more open to learning or experiencing something, and are more or less actively on the look out for something that catches their attention or interest.
Students: These are the people who are definitely at the event to learn something, at least in a passive way, by observing what is going on and perhaps asking a question or two. They may not be interested in one-on-one or direct interaction, but they are willing to stop and listen to a presentation of some sort.
Anthropologist/explorers: These are few and far between, but often are the most fun to interact with. They have an understanding what we are doing and sometimes stay in our camp as long as we continue to provide them with information or experiences - moving from one area of the camp to the next. They actively seek information and ask questions. I like to think of them as amateur anthropologists investigating the culture we portray.
Participants: Clann members, or potential new recruits.
The vast majority of patrons at events have the potential to increase their level of participation - to move inward to the next circle of patrons. Part of our goal as interpreters (and recruiters) should be to encourage patrons in each ring to cross the line into the next level closer to the center. These are the lines we talk about when we mention, "blurring the line" between participant and patron.
There are numerous ways we can do this. At Big Island 1993 I occasionally picked up the 18 foot pike and stood near the weapons rack. When someone stopped to look at the weapons and gawk at the pike I was holding, I welcomed them to our camp and explained that we portray an earlier period than the rest of the rendezvous, and from there started talking about the weapons. I thereby turned some "Browsers" into "students" as they began listening to my presentation.
When you converse with a patron, or small group of patrons, don't stand as close as you would for a normal conversation. If you stand a little farther apart, you are forced to speak a little louder. This makes what you are saying more audible to passersby. And often more important, helps insure that they realize you are not having a private conversation and that they are welcome to listen in. When other patrons gather, look at them and acknowledge their presence with a nod, or step a pace back so everyone can see and hear you clearly. A little body-language does wonders. Congratulations! You've just turned some of the "tourists" into browsers.