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| Id | 903 | |
| Author | Sextou P., Smith C. | |
| Title | Drama is for Life! Recreational Drama Activities for the Elderly in the UK | |
| Reference | Sextou P., Smith C.; Drama is for Life! Recreational Drama Activities for the Elderly in the UK ;Text Matters vol:7.0 issue: 7.0 page:273.0 |
Link to article | https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85032728531&doi=10.1515%2ftexmat-2017-0015&partnerID=40&md5=e292b5beab1a72d057bc7048530493b4 |
| Abstract | Applied Theatre is an inclusive term used to host a variety of powerful, community-based participatory processes and educational practices. Historically, Applied Theatre practices include Theatre-in-Education (TiE), Theatre-in-Health Education (THE), Theatre for Development (TfD), prison theatre, community theatre, theatre for conflict resolution/reconciliation, reminiscence theatre with elderly people, theatre in museums, galleries and heritage centres, theatre at historic sites, and more recently, theatre in hospitals. In this paper we are positioning the application of recreational dramatic activities with older adults (55+) under Applied Theatre and we are exploring the benefits they offer to the participants. We are concerned that their health and wellbeing in western societies is not prioritized and it is clear that loneliness in particular is a current and ongoing issue. We will present research results from a drama dissertation study that took place in a community hall in the South East England where drama is placed at the core of their practice with old populations. Data was collected by a mixed method (semi-structured interviews and semi-immersive observations) and was critically discussed amongst the authors to conclude that attending recreational drama classes brings a certain degree of happiness, social belonging and improvement of interaction with others to old peoples lives. © 2017 Persephone Sextou et al., published by De Gruyter Open 2017. |
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| However, it is apparent that attending the group gives the participants an opportunity to enjoy a substantial amount of social interaction. . | It helps them to forge friendships. . | This would suggest that the class not only forged friendships but also supported and benefitted most of the participants on a social level. . | It indicates a growing sense of belonging in a safe, non-judgmental, respectful social environment where enjoyable and creative activities happen and people feel strongly as members of a community. . | The setting is rearranged to serve the purpose of the sessions aiming at enjoyment, as well as having positive effects on their daily lives, including cognitive, physical and wellbeing benefits that can be achieved by participation. . | It has been suggested that friendship can have a significant impact on our health by reducing stress, improving self-esteem, coping mechanisms and generally boosting our happiness (Mayo Clinic). . | Therefore, there is reason to believe that attending the recreational drama group supports the participants wellbeing by motivating them and providing them with a creative outlet. . | The report states that creative and participatory work could have benefits for older adults, including forging friendships and socialization. . | This is appealing as it means creative freedom for practitioners and individuals that are involved, and opportunities for theatrical experimentation in practice. . | The facilitator noted that socialization was something that could be gained by attending a recreational drama group: Socialization which is the obvious one, you know, people come here each week and they meet their friends and so thats a really important thing. . | In conclusion, joining the recreational drama group has supported the members in breaking their isolation, meeting new people of the same age group, sharing, making friends and has built the foundations for what seems to be an ongoing social circle. . | Various events that members organize could be fulfilling a want or need for socialization and interaction with others. . | Learning and developing skills during a participatory arts programme for older adults can give meaning and purpose to their lives (The Baring Foundation). . | When asked what can be gained from participation in the arts, the facilitator of the group stated that It brings people together and it makes them feel part of something for the time that theyre here and beyond. . |
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