Webpage Supplement to
Chapter 22: Acting for Advocacy
Deborah Zuver
Related Methods:
For more than 25 years, STOP-GAP has provided therapeutic
theater in the spirit of popular education for southern California
schools, hospitals, senior adult day programs, drug treatment programs,
and shelters. The STOP-GAP approach can reach disparate audiences
because the actors present activities and scenes tailored to the
particular group. Participants see their issues played out, create
possible solutions, and watch them come to life in the presentations.
Audience input moves the action along and the interplay of group
dynamics keeps participants engaged.www.stopgap.org
Provides current information about an organization in
southern California that pioneered a therapeutic theater approach to
sensitive issues for audiences and participants of varying age and
ability levels.
Several groups in the United States have developed innovative
approaches to involving adults with disabilities in theater and drama
as an art form and a tool for greater community involvement. In
Minnesota, Advocating Change Together uses popular education with
self-advocates. It is highly participatory with the group’s goal to
empower participants. Facilitators enable learning, rather than assume
the role of an expert providing answers. Activities are experiential;
giving self-advocates a voice and helping them make links with new
information, encouraging them to take action toward improving their
lives. Role-play is an essential part of this hands-on learning.
Advocating Change Together www.selfadvocacy.com
Provides current information about a range of
cutting-edge training materials on self-advocacy and inclusion to be
presented by and for people with disabilities.
Awareness Theater Company is a theatrical group composed of people with
and without disabilities in Burlington, Vermont. The company was formed
in 1998 when the Protection and Advocacy Council (a federally-mandated
body in every state) in Vermont wanted to use a theater piece as part
of a training to address the high incidence of abuse that people with
developmental disabilities face. Awareness Theater Company developed
Speaking for Ourselves and continues to perform the piece in schools,
at conferences, on local television, and at various agencies throughout
the state. The company has gone on to create and perform productions
about other issues.Awareness Theater Company:
www.vsavt.org/awareness. Describes a theater group
created in Vermont to address issues of respect and abuse for people
with developmental disabilities.
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, Interact Theatre Company creates and
performs two original pieces a year, supported by professional actors
with formal theatre training. Most productions are satires that
challenge society’s perceptions of disability by addressing issues in
the disability community such as life in the group home or the emerging
role of disability in the arts. Actors tell their stories through humor
and drama, with the social message coming second. As their reputation
grows, so does the touring radius. The group recently performed at a
disability arts festival in England. A documentary film about Interact
Theatre Company is in process. Interact Theatre
Company:
www.interactcenter.com Provides
current and background information on a theater group in Minnesota that
explores the emerging role of disability in the arts.
Related Books:
Razza, Nancy J. & Tomasulo, Daniel J. (2004). Healing
trauma: the power of group treatment for people with intellectual
disabilities. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association
Press.
Tomasulo, Daniel J. (1998). Action
methods in group psychotherapy:
practical aspects. Philadelphia: Accelerated Development- Taylor
&
Francis.
Additional Resources:
www.vsavt.org/advoctheater
This web site describes the High School Self-Advocacy Theater Program,
a project of VSA Arts of Vermont. Weekly sessions in seven-week modules
introduce participants to theater skills and self-advocacy topics.
www.mnip-net.org
A 30-week pilot program for transition-age youth was developed in
Central Massachusetts. SAY What? Focuses on practicing self-advocacy
and social skills. A description of the project and curriculum is
included.
www.stage-left.org/training
Stage Left Productions offers the Active Arts program for people with
disabilities in Calgary. Community inclusion is a focus a number of
classes and workshops.
www.thedancingtree.org
The Dancing Tree is an alliance of artists that is devoted to making
the hidden visible. The alliance has a particular interest in involving
underrepresented people, including those with a disability.