What does the actor need to perform in health care? Emotional demands, skills and competencies

Abstract

This article aims to explore the required skills and competencies of the actor within the healthcare. The collection of raw text qualitative data and inductive thematic analysis is used to allow findings to emerge from frequent or significant themes inherent in raw semi-structured interview data. Data was collected by ten narrative interviews with experienced actors in hospitals and, Drama trainees. This narrative inquiry gave opportunity for participants to elaborate on their understandings of their direct or indirect engagement with theatre in hospitals. The study demonstrates a defensible emphasis on key themes including, more obvious professional skills such as acting in participatory dramas, using theatre improvisation and puppetry, and interpersonal skills such as emotional intelligence and empathetic awareness.

Applied theatre, puppetry and emotional skills in healthcare: A cross-disciplinary pedagogical framework

“…The study presented in this article is the second phase of a larger research project titled 'Training the Applied Theatre Practitioner in Healthcare: Exploring the Professional Skills', conducted within the Community and Applied Drama Laboratory (CADLab) at Newman University Birmingham in the UK. Phase A of the study aimed to explore the skills and competencies relevant to applied theatre practice in health care with a focus on training provision (Sextou and Karypidou 2018). This is phase B of the study.…”

Exploring methods of training the actor/puppeteer in healthcare: A Socratic dialogue

“…We will explore the conditions of performing in healthcare and the possible methods of training available to community actors and puppeteers who may be interested in working with patients in healthcare settings. Our focus is on the process of communication and the journey of learning for a better understanding of the required skills for artists in healthcare (Sextou and Karypidou, 2018). We position ourselves as a Pedagogue (educator/lecturer) and a drama student: a continuation of the roles we had formed throughout the three-year BA Drama, Theatre and Applied Performance course at Newman University, and through the Community & Applied Drama Laboratory (CADLab) in the same educational environment.…”