One idea for the story is to make it completely based in fiction. This allows me the creative freedom to make the narrative myself, and control the environment that the audience experiences. By controlling the fictional story, it allows me to create a unique experience that will not be related to anything else. The freedom will also allow the actors to have more control over the experience, as there is no history in their characters. Without being bound by facts, the actors will be able to create a more natural and fluid experience for the audience. A fictional story will further make the experience unique, as the story will not be accessible anywhere else.
However, a method to further draw people in is to base the experience on a true story. Either by looking at a historical event, or by using one of Lincoln’s own ghost stories, the experience will be based on fact and work with the time and location to attract more people to the experience. Lincoln has many ghost stories, such as Edward King house’s Guardian Angel and White Woman, and one or many of these could be a strong basis for my piece. These ‘true’ hauntings will improve the audience appeal, due to the local connections, and draw more people into the event. If the locations of these hauntings can be used for the event, the connection will be further improved as well. These locations will also improve the idea of the ghosts and the hauntings even in the case of a fictional story, as there will already be the connection to the idea of the spirits and the occult.
Historical events could also be used as the basis for the story. Using real historical figures as the characters for the event will allow for the audience to communicate with a real person as if they had returned. Whilst this can be used to draw the audience in, due to the appeal of a local key figure, or famous person, portraying a historical figure my be difficult for the actor. First of all, similarities in appearance will be necessary between the actor and the character. Secondly, the actor will have to present the character in a way that is believable to the audience. And thirdly, the actor will have to be will versed in knowledge of the character, as the interaction between the audience and the actor is paramount to the performance. The actor must be prepared to answer any questions to audience may have in order to sell the complete experience.However, if this is done pre-recorded, then the actor will one need to portray the character convincingly, as all the information will be scripted.