Ethnodramatherapy applied in a project focusing on relationships in the lives of adults with developmental disabilities, especially romance, intimacy and sexuality

Abstract

This article reviews a six-month, collaborative, research project, sponsored by the Centre for the Arts in Human Development at Concordia University. The study investigated how ethnodramatherapy (EDT), a new method that integrates ethnodrama with drama therapy, could help adults with developmental disabilities (DD) to explore their lived experience of human relationships, including intimacy, romance and sexuality. EDT was used to create performance-based research on relationships, while also providing a supportive and therapeutic experience to group members. Results demonstrated the empowering effects of the participants expressing their authentic voice. Responses of the audience to a post-performance questionnaire were also analysed.

Other Experiential Approaches Similar to Psychodrama

“…Ethnodrama seems to have become much more popular in theater, anthropology, drama therapy, and research (Mienczakowski, 2001 ; Saldaña, 2005 ). Snow and Herbison ( 2012 ) introduced Ethnodramatherapy as primarily an integration of ethnodrama with drama therapy, but also borrows techniques from sociometry, psychodrama, and Playback Theater. Snow and Herbison base their approach on Mienczakowski’s definition of ethnodrama: ethnodrama is explicitly concerned with decoding and rendering accessible the culturally specific signs, symbols, aesthetics, behaviours, language and experience of health informants using accepted theatrical practices.…”

A Space to Speak: Therapeutic Theater to Address Gender-Based Violence

“…Pendzik, Emunah, and Johnson (2016) describe theatrical performance in two categories: therapeutic and nontherapeutic. Therapeutic theater intentionally creates performances that can narrate and validate participants’ stories (Jones, 2007; Salas, 2005; Snow et al, 2017), reveal new insights and understandings about the performer or group to others (Landy, 1997; Pendzik, 1994; Snow et al, 2017), and reveal insights to the performers about themselves (Casson, 1997; Pendzik, 1994). Nontherapeutic performance may also deliver therapeutic benefits to performers and audience, but that is not the main intention.…”

“…There, they have the potential to discover something new about themselves through their characters and through the act of performing in front of an audience with others (Bailey, 2009; Landy, 1997). Audiences may learn, become inspired, or find connection with others through educational or social justice–oriented performances (Salas, 2005; Snow et al, 2017). Within drama therapy, this therapeutic process is intentionally harnessed for individual transformation, often to work through trauma.…”

“…After their experience with Playback Theater, those who were considered bullies were apologetic for their behavior and were able to notice and validate the hurt they caused. Snow et al (2017) shared how a drama therapy performance group of adults with Down's syndrome evaluated their impact on the audience's knowledge and attitudes. By undertaking a creative performance process and sharing it on a stage, performers may hope to be better understood by themselves and by an audience.…”

“We Copy to Join in, to Not Be Lonely”: Adolescents in Special Education Reflect on Using Dramatic Imitation in Group Dramatherapy to Enhance Relational Connection and Belonging

“…Research participants communicated common experiences of social ostracism within peer group/s and the wider community. Research within the creative arts therapies acknowledges that people diagnosed with intellectual/developmental disabilities are commonly stigmatized and socially ostracized (Bailey, 2016;Snow et al, 2017). Participants enacted and reflected upon their tendency to "copy others, " acknowledging how such actions were underpinned by a human need to experience belonging (Baumeister and Leary, 1995).…”