Index:
Theatre & Various Disabilities
Theatre & Psychological Healing
Theatre and Learning Disabilities
Theatre for People who are Blind or Low-visioned
Theatre, AIDS, and Health Issues
Theatre in the Aftermath of September 11th, 2001
Applied and Interactive Theatre Guide -
A resource for those who use theatre techniques for other or more than arts or entertainment purposes, and for those whose theatre styles incorporate other than traditional presentation styles. This is an extensive web resource thoroughly covering a wide array of issues relating to access and application of theatre forms. There are extensive libraries of links to companies and other resources. From theatre for artists with disabilities to “Theatre of the Oppressed”, this site has it all. This is a great master site.
Great index of games and exercises. Loads of resources here, well organized and itemized. These exercises are especially useful in breaking down barriers in group activities.
Theatre Education Literature Review
From the Association for the Advancement of Arts Education, this site offers a plethora of links to studies and papers about the role and value of theatre in education.
The American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama
Basic organizational website offering information on training programs, conferences, and their research journal (no online articles though).
The Arts in Psychotherapy published 5 issues per annum, is an international journal for professionals in the fields of mental health and education. The journal publishes articles (including illustrations) by art, dance/movement, drama, music, and poetry psychotherapists, as well as psychiatrists and psychologists, that reflect the theory and practice. This site includes an index of past articles but offers no free content but rather solicits for subscriptions to the print edition.
Australia and New Zealand Psychodrama Association
“ANZPA was first established in 1980. It now has about 90 Ordinary and
Distinguished members who are Certificated Psychodramatist, Sociodramatists,
Sociometrists or Role-Trainers. 25 of these members are further certificated as
Trainer, Educator and Practitioners (TEPs) or Educator Practitioners.”
Bibliography of Drama Therapy Publications
This web Bibliography of Drama Therapy was compiled by Adam Blatner, M.D. on 4th June 1998: The resource is extensive and includes psychodrama resources, journal information, and information on non-English publications.
British Association of Drama Therapists
The British Association of Dramatherapists is the professional body that represents Dramatherapists and their professional practice.
This site, from The National Coalition of Arts Therapies Associations, offers a nice, concise overview of the field of Drama Therapy
Arts Therapy Graduate Programs in the United States
This is a very extensive directory, searchable by state or
geographical region.
Drama Therapy at NYU School of Education
Drama therapy combines the aims and techniques of drama/theatre with those of psychotherapy to treat individuals in crisis and help those with special needs to expand their quality of life. New York University was the first in the country to develop an academic program leading to a Master of Arts degree in drama therapy. The program attracts theatre professionals and educators, therapists, and those working in the fields of medicine, nursing, and special education.
Drama Therapy Concepts Theories and Practices
An Amazon.com book description page.
Drama Therapy Degree Programs of The University of Hertfordshire, Britain
Dramatherapists find employment in schools, hospitals, clinics, prisons or in private practice. These courses are designed to provide the student with the skills and knowledge needed to work as part of a multi-disciplinary treatment team.
For discussion of issues relating to Drama Therapy
Dramatherapy: a guide for those coming to the Creative Therapy Unit
This guide was written for those entering treatment at Britain’s Department of Mental Health, Postgraduate Medical School, University of Exeter. It is interesting to see the discipline explained from the patient’s immediate prospective.
Dramatherapy in Greece and Cyprus
Don’t let the site name fool you. This page offers a nice collection of links to resources in many countries throughout the world, in addition to giving a nice overview of the field itself.
Dramatherapy and Psychodrama home page From Jessica Kingsley Publishers
The first JKP book on dramatherapy was published in 1990. Since then the list has grown rapidly. Books cover both theory and practice, and are on the leading edge of this developing field. JKP also publishes very actively in the closely related fields of play therapy and storymaking. This is a very extensive collection of valuable resources
Geese Theatre Company Restorative Drama Therapy In Criminal Justice And Prisons Schools Conventions
Geese Theatre Company, based in San Francisco, provides arts based restorative justice projects. The first one began in January 1997 with a production created and acted by members of the Milestones Halfway House and with input from victims and members of the community. The page offers a nice bibliography of Drama Therapy books and resources such as the interesting “Diary of a Drama Therapist”.
Narrative Therapy with Children and their Families
Drawing primarily from play, narrative, and expressive arts approaches in the context of family therapy, this site provides a forum to learn about and discuss ideas and practices that appeal to children and that invite mutual creativity in the resolution of family problems. This site offers a number of research oriented resources.
The National Association for Drama Therapy -
The National Association for Drama Therapy is a Washington, DC. based
non-profit association incorporated in 1979 to establish and uphold high
standards of professional competence and ethics among drama therapists; to
develop criteria for training and registration; to sponsor publications and
conferences; and to promote the profession of drama therapy through information
and advocacy. The site presents a rich array of resources from University
training programs, to regional center contact information, to conference
information.
Occupational Profile - Dramatherapist
This is a really fun website. It gives information to students and others contemplating a career in drama therapy. The field is explained and information is provided on topics ranging from the typical job description through a discussion of the training required.
Performing Playwrights is a child-centered project which addresses major components of the language arts curriculum by empowering students to write, perform, and produce their own play. The children study the writing process, elements of fiction, read plays throughout the year, and attend performances with an awareness that they will eventually write their own class play. The class gathers to discuss the structure necessary to write a play and to review the important components of a fictitious play. The children brainstorm a list of possible problems, solutions, and characters around which the play can be written.
This site, from The National Coalition of Arts Therapies Associations, offers a nice, concise overview of the use of psychodrama in therapy
Roundabout London Drama Therapy
Roundabout’s mission is to use Drama and Movement therapy to provide psychological, educational and artistic benefit to a wide range of disadvantaged people throughout Greater London, UK. To describe all the different projects Roundabout has worked with since 1985 would be impossible but in order to demonstrate Drama and Movement Therapy here are some quotes from service users.
Theatre Companies Offering Performances by
Performers With Various Abilities and Disabilities
Based in Spokane, Washington, USA, “Express Theatre-Northwest is a professional educational touring theatre company of actors and support people, of whom at least 51 percent are persons with disabilities and/or their family members. Our goal is to provide thought provoking theatre experiences, with the full intent of helping to overcome the societal stigmas of mental illnesses and other disabilities”
Company bills itself as: “Britain’s best known thaetre company of people with physical and sensory impairments. Graeae tours nationally and internationally and is the only professional thaetre compaeny of people with physical and sensory impairments in Europe and as far as we are aware, world-wide.”
Perceptive Arts Theatre Company
Based in Britain, the Perceptive Arts theatre company looks at how visually and hearing impaired people access theatre at present, and research what could be done to enhance the performance experience for them. “We believe, that the current access methodologies, although highly effective, are in fact not entirely satisfactory for many reasons.
This page profiles a one-person show written and performed by Lyle Victor
Albert at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The site includes various
versions of performance video clips. “For Vic, the seemingly simple act of
shaving becomes a turning point in accepting his cerebral palsy and pushing
himself and his physical abilities. The challenge of shaving propels Vic to
explore growing pains common to teenagers: parents, high school, and decisions
about life after high school.”
Theatre resources for People who are
Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Australian Theatre of the Deaf
The Australian Theatre of the Deaf (ATOD) is the only professional company of its type in Australia. Its unique style of performance is based on the expressive skills of its Deaf actors. By the use of movement, physical expression, acting and a visual language, the company is dedicated to the ideal of producing a form of theatre that can communicate, educate and excite both Deaf and hearing audiences. This is a simple information page but it does include contact information.
Based in Chicago, this company “supports the vision of gifted directors and writers, embraces innovate works with an emphasis on Chicago premieres, challenges our audiences artistically, builds cultural bridges and stages diverse productions that range from classics to new works and often feature works with deaf and hearing-impaired themes, and gay and lesbian themes.”
Bethesda (MD) Academy of Performing Arts - Deaf Access Theatre
The Deaf Access Companies are comprised of Deaf, KODA, and hearing student actors whose productions are part of BAPA’s professional theater season at Imagination Stage. Two companies perform children’s stories in a unique theatrical style which blends American Sign Language and voice, along with music and movement. Company members develop performance skills in the style of Deaf Theatre and work under direction of Deaf and hearing artists.
The mission of Cleveland SIGNSTAGE Theatre is integration. Artistically, we integrate the verbal language of spoken English and the visual language of American Sign Language (ASL) into unique theatrical and educational experiences. Culturally, we integrate hearing and deaf people from diverse backgrounds into a cohesive ensemble. SIGNSTAGE is one of few professional theatre companies in the United States that hires deaf and hearing actors to provide these shared experiences.
Deaf-Blind Theatre Access Project, The
“Too often, entertainment is out of reach for people who are deaf and blind (Deaf-Blind). The challenges of communication and mobility can keep Deaf-Blind people at home, isolated. Yet, with specially trained interpreters, close-up seating, and an opportunity to experience sets, costumes, and props through touch, Deaf-Blind people can experience the magic of theatre. This “how-to” manual is intended to support theatre companies and venues in serving Deaf-Blind patrons.”
This, somewhat out-of-date directory gives full contact information for a number of companies in the US and around the world.
Deafywood is an ensemble of Deaf actors and dancers from Hollywood performing quality stage production incorporating ASL/deaf culture humor, stories, and satirizing current social issues to deaf and hearing audiences. The ensemble aim to promote sign language and the American Deaf culture appreciation to schools, colleges, Deaf clubs and organizations, and public places. Deafywood also promote fundraising performance for nonprofit organizations. This is a very fun website with lots of pictures and a tad of great humor.
Based in Hollywood, CA, this is a very active theatre company. translation, providing for all, an enhanced theatrical experience.
LA Bridges, Theatre Company of the Deaf
This is a theatre company and so very much more. The organization offers an excellent deaf actor referal service, for instance, that has had great success in placing actors with disabilities into professional positions in theatre, film, and television production. The company provides technical advisiong and extensive training. This is a nice resources for those in the deaf and hearing impaired community who may be looking for a professional career in the theatre.
National Technical Institute for the Deaf - Performing Arts
NTID Performing Arts, based in Rochester, NY, offers high-quality theater training and productions for both Deaf and hearing audiences. Performances, with the exception of dance pieces, are presented in American Sign Language with spoken voice-overs or subtitles for the “signing-impaired” members of our audience. Children and adults around the world have been entertained and educated by our professional company, Sunshine Too.
This Tony Award winning, Connecticut based company is top of the line! Alas the website is a tad less impressive.
National Theatre of the Deaf, Professional Training School
The National Theatre of the Deaf The National Theatre of the Deaf Professional Theatre School for Deaf Theatre Personnel (PTS) was established in 1967 through a grant from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. A secondary focus of the program was training individuals who were interested in exploring teaching positions in programs providing preliminary or ancillary training in theatre arts disciplines to the Deaf (university drama departments, for example) or providing further training to enhance the work of those already engaged in a teaching capacity in such programs.
Based in Landham, MD, Quest creates ongoing, programs in partnership with schools, professional arts organizations, community centers, colleges and universities, arts councils, government agencies, elected officials, foundations, and corporations. Quest creates and produces new works for the stage that support its mission and represent a strong visual and cultural base. Quest provides training in the arts to young people and adults in communities, which have been under served or under represented. Quest also provides professional training and consultation to educators, administrators, and parents who are interested in using the arts to promote excellence in their schools. Quest’s Young Scholars Program, sponsored by Gallaudet University’s Honors Program, is a summer institute for deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing adolescents.
SIGNSHINE is a sign language entertainment group comprised of Deaf and hard of hearing students from the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. The group has been quite busy entertaining audiences, young and old, across western Pennsylvania. SIGNSHINE was established in February, 1995. Its goals are to promote Deaf Awareness and provide enjoyable entertainment for all audiences.
Theatre Sign Language Interpreting Page
This is an excellent meta-site that addresses multiple issues in the arena of interpreting theatre for the deaf. The site even includes resources related to developing deaf audiences. This is a well written, well organized web resource.
Theatre for People With Learning Disabilities
Heart and Soul Musical Theatre
Founded in 1986 and based at the Albany Theatre in London, the National Touring Company of fourteen professional, learning disabled, actors and musicians have forged a name for themselves on the international stage. Their work has become recognized and respected by disabled and non-disabled audiences, for productions that deliver extraordinary pieces of Music Theatre which express the way that they see the world. This, together with an innovative approach to training, residencies and an extensive program of workshops, provides a ‘ladder of opportunity’ for people with learning disabilities; leading from appreciation to participation, through personal development to independence.
Kaleidoscope Theatre is a pioneering theatre company, some of whose members happen to have Down’s Syndrome. It was founded in 1980 and is based in the village of Kemberton, Shropshire, England. Kaleidoscope is unusual in that eight of its members live and work together as a family whose aim is to create exciting, entertaining, yet serious and thought provoking theatre. No-one is paid a salary, but the members share a passion for the arts and a belief in quality of life. The core team is joined by other young people with Down’s Syndrome and others of all backgrounds and ages for performances and drama workshops.
Theatre Resources for People With Physical or General Disabilities
The Association for Theatre and Accessibility - Los Angeles, CA -
The Association for Theatre and Accessibility is a membership based organization whose mission is to foster full participation and involvement of individuals with all types of disabilities in drama and theatre activities. Simple info-based website.
Based in Vienna - Since 1994, actors with different abilities work on an artistic combination of New Dance, Contact Improvisation, acting techniques and video. Bilderwerfer produce by these means performances, installations, improvisations, happenings and workshops.
Mockbeggar Theatre Company is a professional Disabled People’s theatre company based in Liverpool. It was formed in 1986 after a ten week project organized by two Disabled theatre practitioners, involving local Disabled People. The project’s aim was to create an original piece of theatre informed by the experiences of the participants. For some members of that founding company, the freedom to be able to share common aims was a new and empowering experience.
National Theatre Workshop of the Handicapped
The National Theatre Workshop of the Handicapped, Inc. (NTWH) is a Maine based non-profit organization founded in 1977 to provide the disabled community with the communication skills necessary to pursue a life in professional theatre and enhance their opportunities in the workplace.
National Arts and Disability Center
The NADC is the administrative home for The Association for Theatre and Accessibility. The NADC is dedicated to promoting the full inclusion of children and adults with disabilities into the visual-, performing-, media-, and literary- arts communities. This website is a wonderful resource with a plethora of materials on access to the arts.
Theatre Companies with Performers with Disabilities
From the National Arts and Disability Center, this is an extensive and nicely designed directory and includes full program descriptions and contact information
Theatre in Motion is a New York City-based participatory, educational theatre company which utilizes non-traditional casting, that is, artists with and without disabilities working together, serving all populations. Executive Director Leslie Fanelli designs all programs which focus on Dr. Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
This St Louis organization, serves as home to The DisAbility Project, a series of 12- to 16-week Saturday workshops that engage in conversation, writing, sound and movement, and theatrical exercises to explore developing material around the culture of disability. Comprised of both disabled and non-disabled participants, the Project endeavors to empower individuals, honor their stories, foster community and enhance public awareness about disability.
Ann Arbor, Michigan basedWild Swan Theater is nationally known for its ingenious artistry, its innovative audience accessiblity program, and its projects for participants with disabilities. Through a project named Dramatically Able, Wild Swan Theater is making drama accessible to participants with disabilities.
Theatre of the Oppressed Theatre of Social Change
An Interview With Augusto Boal
This looks to be a nice article, written by by Adriana Lessa de Miranda on the founder of the movement.
Legislative Theatre, Using Performance to Make Politics by Augusto Boal -
“Elected MP for Rio de Janeiro in the 1992 Brazil elections, renowned theatre director and founder of the international movement ‘Theatre of the Oppressed’, Augusto Boal mixes theatre and politics in a way that’s committed, inspirational and explosive. Legislative Theatre, the latest and most remarkable stage of his work, is an attempt to use theatre within a political system to create a truer form of democracy; developed during his period as a prominent Brazilian politician, this method transforms the citizen into the legislator.” This simple website from Routledge Press allows you to order this book.
Pedagogy & Theatre of the Oppressed
“(PTO) is a not-for-profit (IRS 501C3) organization with the following mission: To challenge oppressive systems by promoting critical thinking and social justice. We organize an annual meeting that focuses on the work of liberatory educators, activists, and artists; and community organizers.”
From puppetry to theatre of revolution, this collective, based in Australia, offers a wonderful website resource. Great set of links! Fun design too.
Augusto Boal has developed an extraordinary approach to theatre in which the means of production are turned over to the community in an interactive, fun, and critical manner. Doug Patterson leads participants through the basic games and exercises designed for actors and non-actors alike in an atmosphere of play and critical reflection—all in the service of generating dialogue and addressing, even solving, problems faced by our many communities.
This website is based at New York University. It gives a nice overview of the topic and then includes annotated links to many theatre companies specializing in “theatre of the oppressed” forms.
This book by the pioneer of this theatre form, by Augusto Boal is featured on the Amazon.com website. the page includes a detailed reader review of the work.
An Association of Theatre in Higher Education Page
Headlines, a Vancouver based company, was founded by a group of artists(1) in 1981 out of their concern about the housing crisis. The work of this company continues to provoke their audiences to social action. Very attractive and informative website.
Brooklyn-based Interactive Drama for Education and Awareness in the Arts (IDEAS) offers school-based drama artist-in-residency programs designed for students with disabilities and their teachers. Based on an extensive list of topics, classroom teachers choose specific areas to explore within the classroom by way of drama games, role play, improvisation, and discussion. Through the guidance of a professional teaching artist in residency at the school, students and their teachers work side by side throughout the program. Respectful interaction is emphasized in all activities. Participants have the opportunity to experience real life situations, respond ‘as if’, and practice the desired behavior. Teachers are introduced to non-traditional teaching methods. In addition to workshops in the classroom, teachers meet with the artist for planning and feedback. Issues from disabilities to aids and sexual awareness are explored through theatre.
The Kids on the Block is a Columbia, MD. based organization, which provides educational puppet programs which enlighten children on the issues of disability awareness, medical-educational differences, and social concerns. Here at the National Office of the Kids on the Block we research and develop relevant and timely program topics for delivery by over 1000 troupes around the world. Kids on the Block has a strong commitment to provide communities with programs that address children’s questions, concerns and needs in a lively and entertaining manner. Kids on the Block educational curricula help to create positive attitudinal and behavioral change for present and future generations. Tour our web site to find out more about the Kids on the Block educational puppet programs. This organization has around 1,000 related troups world-wide. Many are linked from this site.
Theatre Empowering Youth at Risk
Based in NY, with programs too in Newark, New Jersey and in Atlanta, Georgia, the All Stars Talent Show Network creates environments for development and growth by involving 20,000 youth, ages 5 to 25 each year, in producing and performing in weekend talent shows in their neighborhood school auditoriums. This website covers a number of additional programs as well including a theatre company specializing in the works of politically active playwrights, as well as a leadership institute for youth.
(standing for Creative Learning Ideas for Mind and Body) is an educational touring company based in Minneapolis that has been in existence for 20 years. CLIMB produces original plays and classes for K-12th grade on topics such as: Violence Prevention, Substance Abuse and Addiction, Sexual Harassment, Environment, Diversity, and Gender. This is a very well organized, informative website.
EnAct (Educational Network of Artists in Creative Theatre)
A nonprofit company based in New York City. The organization offers theatre-in-education and drama therapy training among their many programs. ENACT’s mission is to use interactive drama and conflict resolution techniques to facilitate personal growth, effective communication and behavioral and attitudinal change.
Based in Birmingham, England, “We use drama and theatre to encourage self-awareness and to assist individuals in exploring the idea of change and the impact that it may have on their lives. Within this framework we consider the complex web of connections between personal behavior, choice and responsibility and broader social, economic and political factors. Our theatre functions as a catalyst. Through fictional performance we mirror situations and behaviors and model possible alternatives as a spur to discussion and debate. In addition, through dynamic, participatory drama techniques we facilitate the active exploration of changing behaviors and the rehearsing of new skills and strategies. Our groupwork practice takes a cognitive-behavioral approach and we also give particular attention to the development of theatre techniques and metaphors, such as masks, which give equal emphasis to behavior, thoughts and feelings.”
Billing itself as “Intervention Theatre”, this company, based in Chicago, tours to college campuses, presenting theatre productions and workshops on issues ranging from date rape to substance abuse to homophobia.
Based in Chicago, HealthWorks Theatre was established by a group of actors, songwriters and friends to bring a new vitality to AIDS prevention education in the Midwest. Since its founding, the theatre company has expanded to address issues related to violence prevention and has reached more than 350,000 people in 16 states with its plays, facilitated discussions, and messages of compassion and hope.
Hippodrome Improvisational Teen Theatre
“The Hippodrome Improvisational Teen Theatre Program model (HITT) was created in 1984 in an effort to provide young adults throughout the Central Florida region with a venue in which they could creatively explore their attitudes about such serious life issues as alcohol and substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and HIV/AIDS. Since that time, HITT has provided over 30,000 teens with a vehicle to discover the positive choices necessary to protect them from addiction, violence and mental health problems.”
How Stories Work in Prevention
This is a clearly written guide to how the art of storytelling can be used to help turn the lives of at risk youth around.
Uses drama to educate on issues of sexual assault. The company works to “challenge personal and societal beliefs by creating three-dimensional characters that can’t be ignored or tuned out like videos. The situations in the scenes are real, explicit, and disturbing”. The website offers an extensive library of contacts for similar companies throughout the country. This page is thus a nice master-site of resources. The page olso offers articles on the value of such programs.
The Improbable Players, based in Boston, MA, is a professional touring theater company which gives performances about alcohol and other drug abuse. The shows are effective and powerful because the actors are recovering alcoholics and addicts. The shows’ scenes, created from their real-life stories, dramatize the effects of substance abuse on the family, and its relation to other problems such as HIV/AIDS and violence.
An Introduction to Playback Theatre
Devised by Orla McKeagney - An excellent step by step guide to this important theraputic theatre form. “in Playback a member of a group is encouraged to relate a real life experience which is then reenacted by the others. American empirical evidence would tend to justify its supporters claim that the experience has a therapeutic outcome as it heightens ‘self awareness’, enhances creativity and spontaneity, and reinforces the individual’s sense of identity.”
International Playback Theatre Network Member Listings
Links to Playback Theatre sites all over the world. This is a nice master list.
KEY Players (Keep Empowering Youth)
A professional touring children’s theatre company based in Catawba, North Carolina. KEY practices Instructive Theatre to teach social skills. KEY’s professional adult actors perform a repertoire of issue-oriented plays and workshops about such topics as; violence prevention, stranger safety, recycling, sexual harassment, gender equity in career choices, diversity, respect, self-esteem and character education. One great feature of this website, is the explicit review of how their productions address educational standards in North Carolina. This feature should be incorporated into the websites of all similar organizations!
Sonoma County, California - Founded in 1992 by Linda Conklin, Kid Street Theatre (KST) was developed to provide a holistic approach to helping children without homes and other at-risk youth, break the cycle of self-depreciation and poverty. KST brings together children from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, ranging in age from 6 to 15, from throughout Sonoma County, California. This model program provides opportunities for the parents to seek work, housing and counseling, while their children are cared for in a positive, self-esteem building environment. This website also offers a nice gallery of artwork by children in the program.
This Playback theatre company is based in Albany, NY. Their website, among
other features, offers a link listing of many other such companies around the
country and the world. “Playback Theatre is a unique style of theater in which
audience members are invited to tell stories from their lives and watch them
enacted, or “played back” on the spot. A Playback conductor helps each willing
audience member tell a story---casting actors as people, places, things,
animals, feelings---whatever the story requires. Then, without consultation, the
Playback actors play the story back using only cloth, boxes, music, and
themselves. The results are often as unexpected as they are engaging. And, not
surprisingly, one person’s story is often the inspiration for
the next.”
Playback Theatre is an original form of improvisational theatre in which audience or group members tell stories from their lives and watch them enacted on the spot. Whether in theatres, workshops, educational or clinical settings, playback theatre draws people closer as they see their common humanity. Playback Theatre was founded in 1975 in the Mid-Hudson Valley in New York by Jonathan Fox and the original Playback Theatre company. Since then, Playback Theatre has reached hundreds of settings and locations. A support organization, this website provides connection and information for Playback practitioners on five continents.
Playback Theatre at Shands Hospital
This site explains quite nicely how this form of theraputic theatre can be used in a hospital setting. The site is very informative. The hospital is located in Jacksonville, Florida
Playback Theatre as a Methodology for Social Change
This PDF File offers a nice explanation of this form of interactive theatre as well as information on its use.
Based in Santa Ana, California, Stopgap Theatre’s programs include: a touring/workshop component to the schools emphasizing the use of intervention techniques, ongoing drama therapy groups with the aging, battered women, substance abusers, children in hospitals, etc., and a training program to teach other people how to use this method They are always undertaking new initiatives to help heal their community. This is an excellent website with a lot of useful information.
“Therapeutic SOULSPEAK for at-risk children gives children a way to easily express unresolved conflicts and fears. It helps break down the increasing isolation of children, an isolation that often leads to the type of violence seen recently in our nation’s schools.”
Therapeutic SOULSPEAK taps into the unconscious almost effortlessly and is both healing and cathartic. It is a non-traumatic process that uses the oldest form of poetry, an oral, story-telling poetry, to allow children to easily express their deepest feelings. It is also a poetry that young people find instantly appealing. It is performed in antiphonal fashion (speaker-responder) to slow music, and is learned almost instantaneously by anyone, even slow learners. No previous knowledge of poetry, or even reading and writing is required. Our experience has shown that a large number of children continue to use SOULSPEAK on their own and even teach it to their parents.”
The Usual Suspects “was created in 1993 after the Los Angeles riots to empower young people by giving them a voice, and to ease racial tensions. The Unusual Suspects gives the kids an effective tool for communication by helping them to create original theatre drawn from their lives.”
Theatre Resources for People who are Blind or Low-visioned
Audio Description of Theatre in Northeast Kansas
This modest site gives a nice overview of the process and technology of audio description for the live theatre. The site also lists theatres in the Northeast Kansas area that offers this service.
A discussion group for those interested in audio description, the process of providing aural information about performance and other public events for the blind, the visually impaired, and those with low vision.
Blind Theatre Company - NEW LIFE (NOVI ZIVOT) Hrvatska - Zagreb - Croatia
“The Blind Theatre company New Life will soon be celebrating the fifth decade of its work (1996). The fact that it is the only theatrical group of blind and visually impaired people in Europe gives the anniversary a special significance.”. This is an interesting site, mostly a modest collection of articles on the company.
Deaf Blind Theatre Access Project, The
“Too often, entertainment is out of reach for people who are deaf and blind (Deaf-Blind). The challenges of communication and mobility can keep Deaf-Blind people at home, isolated. Yet, with specially trained interpreters, close-up seating, and an opportunity to experience sets, costumes, and props through touch, Deaf-Blind people can experience the magic of theatre. This “how-to” manual is intended to support theatre companies and venues in serving Deaf-Blind patrons.”
New York City Based Theater By The Blind (TBTB) aims to change the image of the blind from one of dependence to independence, to fight the stereotypes of the media and show how vibrant, fluid and exuberant the visually impaired can be, in order to reduce the terror that makes blindness the third most feared thing in this country after AIDS and cancer and keeps employment of the visually impaired limited to 26% of those aged 21 to 64. TBTB claims to be the only theater in the U.S. doing quality professional work to achieve this goal.
Theatre to Heal the Mind and Spirit
Books about Psychodrama and Sociodrama
Extensive online bibliography from the National Association of Drama Therapy
The Second Step Players is a Norwich CT based theater troupe comprised of actors, writers, artists, production personnel, musicians, poets and comedians who have psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression (including bipolar), obsessive-compulsive disorder and disassociative identity disorders. More than 50 mental health consumers and 25 volunteers make up its ranks.
“Encore Theatre is senior theater for kids, and its aim is to connect those who have been on this planet for some time with those who are just getting started. This enterprising group provides free interactive performances for youth, to promote better understanding between the young and the old. In an entertaining format, seniors share the wisdom and the truth of their lives, dispel the myths of aging, and foster self-esteem through original song, dance and storytelling.”
Senior Theatre Research and Performance
The purpose of the Senior Theatre Research and Performance focus group of the Association of Theatre in Higher Education is to promote the field of senior theatre, encouraging more seniors to become involved on stage or with the arts. This site profiles the group’s yearly convention. Other content is not very developed, at least not yet.
Senior Theatre Connections - the book
This book, available for purchase online, aims to be a source for complete information about the field of senior theatre. The guide is intended to aid both beginners and professionals alike, providing useful tools for new or expanding performing arts programs for senior citizens. Use it to locate theatre and dance groups, find playwrights and their scripts, discover resources and share ideas to create magic with older performers on stage.
Senior Theatre League of America
“The mission of the Senior Theatre League is to provide a forum for lifelong learning in the theatre arts. Our membership is made up of people who want to celebrate life experience through theatre with older adults and with organizations who want to promote senior theatre.”
Theatre Bringing Communities Together
The CEO was a Capulet - What can executives learn from William Shakespeare?
This short article in USA Weekend Magazine demonstrates ways in which theatre and Shakespeare can be used to help hone the leadership skills of business executives.
Child & Family Services Theatre for Change
Using professional actors and original scripts, Child & Family Services Theatre For Change creates dynamic, live theater for workplaces or organizations. The actors bring important issues, situations, and conflicts to life in a non-threatening environment. Following the performance, actors remain in character, engaging the audience in thought-provoking dialogue. Based in Buffalo, New York, Theatre for Change travels extensively, appearing in Detroit, Louisville, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Nashville, Las Vegas, St. Louis, and Kansas City. Bare bones website but it includes contact information.
Founded in 1991 in an effort to create original high quality theatre accessible to all ages. Their mission to produce both original and established works of drama, comedy, musical theatre, and dance based on value and quality that will entertain as well as educate. The company strives to bring people of diverse cultural backgrounds, ages, ethnicity’s, and religious beliefs together to celebrate life and discover the joy of live art.
There’s No Meetings Like Business Meetings
Article on how Playback Theatre techniques can be used to enhance operations in the business community.
World Communities, Center for Community-Based Theatre
“A part of the University of Georgia system, The CENTER is concerned with both exploring and nurturing the unique dynamics that occur when professional artists engage with communities throughout the world to create theater that is both historic and relevant.”
Encore Theatre’s Shipworth Project
“For the third year in a row, Encore seniors spent five weeks with kids in Lane County detention, creating a show based on their combined life experiences and perspectives. This process is am-azingly successful. We had plenty of stereotypes about “bad kids” when we started, and they had theirs about old people - but we discovered we’re all just people.”
Prison Theater encourages reflection and communication
By Julie Lichtenberg, This excellent article profiles the use of theatre as a force for positive change in the prison environment. A lot of valuable information is included in the article about the process, goals, and outcomes of this program.
Theatre, AIDS, and Health Issues
Note: A number of programs listed above also include health and AIDS
issues as part of their programming:
Based in Chicago, HealthWorks Theatre was established by a group of actors, songwriters and friends to bring a new vitality to AIDS prevention education in the Midwest. Since its founding, the theatre company has expanded to address issues related to violence prevention and has reached more than 350,000 people in 16 states with its plays, facilitated discussions, and messages of compassion and hope.
The New Conservatory Theatre Center
In 1985, The New Conservatory Theatre Center “became the first organization in the nation to develop and produce AIDS theatre education and prevention programs.”
Theatre in the Aftermath of September 11th
This is a program developed by The Theatre Development Fund. Students submit
dramatic work such as: monologues, dialogues, scenes, plays, stories and poems
developed in the aftermath of September 11th. All appropriate work is
then published online. This is a very extensive collection and a very ambitious
project.
ROBERT BRUSTEIN ON THEATER, The New Relevance, from The New Republic
Interesting musings on the way that events of September 11th have changed our world and the perceptions of artists within this changed world.
Theater and Terrorism—By Bill Marx
This is a really well written article on the choices facing the theatre community in the aftermath of September 11th 2001. “Theaters will either attempt to grapple seriously with what has happened or they will continue to serve up more forgetful escapism or left-wing platitudes.”
Theatre Communications Group’s September 11th Resources
The resources listed here are useful for theatre companies and artists in the New York area seeking resources to help themselves, their companies, and their community in the aftermath of Sept. 11th 2001
Misc.
Broadway Cares - Equity Fights Aids
This website explains the program, it’s history, and how the funds that are raised are used.
Applied and Interactive Theatre Forum
Just as the name applies. Easy to contribute and participate in the discussions