2007 Enactor Program Evaluation: A summary of quantitative and qualitative results

This study was designed to assess qualitative and quantitative impacts that the enactor program has on visitor experience at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (DMNS), using two temporary exhibitions (Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World and Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition) as examples. Of interest was capturing the unique visitor experience that enactors provide by combining visitor engagement, education and interaction. In turn, this affords opportunities to better consider enactor and/or theater-based programming for other areas of the Museum (temporary and permanent) in the future. Six main goals/hypotheses of the enactor program were studied, as they help to define the unique experience provided by enactors: (1) The enactor program gets visitors' attention and supplies a framework for engaging in powerful and unique ways. (2) Interaction with enactors provides opportunities for visitors to make connections with people from the past in a way that is both personal and meaningful. (3) Interaction with enactors brings context to exhibit areas and objects through personal narratives, interactive stories and/or object use. (4) Interaction with enactors enriches the visitors' understanding of the themes, concepts and content of exhibits. (5) Interaction with enactors enables opportunities for visitors to engage in two modes of discussion-- with historical context and/or infused with modern sensibilities. (6) Interactions with enactors are open-ended, allowing visitors to choose their level of involvement and direct the content of the conversation, creating a personal and relevant experience. The appendix of this report includes survey and interview protocols.