Acting for a Change: Using Psychodrama to Enhance Spontaneity, Connection, and Change in the Development of a Senior Improvisational Group
Keywords:
psychodrama, community theater, aging, social networks, qualitativ analysisAbstract
This article describes the development of a senior improvisational theater group designed to draw on concepts and methods from psychodrama to maximize members’ spontaneity and connection and provide opportunities for positive staged sociopsychodramatic interactions in the community. It describes changes that took place at various social and psychological levels because of participation in the group and presents some of the director’s inspirations and insights about theater, psychology, and community outreach that emerged along the way. The group, composed of about 15 seniors, aged 60 to 90 years, met in 30 weekly, 2-hr sessions and gave several performances over a 1-year period. A preliminary conceptual model of process and change, based on a qualitative analysis of observations, self-report, and relevant literature, is presented.
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