This book considers the relevance of ritual theatre in contemporary life and describes how it is being used as a highly cathartic therapeutic process. With contributions from leading experts in the field of dramatherapy, the book brings together a broad spectrum of approaches to ritual theatre as a healing system.

This second edition of Current Approaches in Drama Therapy offers a revised and updated comprehensive compilation of the primary drama therapy methods and models that are being utilized and taught in the United States and Canada, including four new approaches. It is intended as a basic textbook for the field of drama therapy. Section I provides a context for the state of the field of drama therapy in North America, describing the history of the field, stages in professional development, theory building, emerging areas of interest, and challenges for the future. Section II includes the Integrative Five Phase Model, Role Method, Developmental Transformations, Ritual/Theatre/Therapy, Healing the Wounds of History, Narradrama, Omega Transpersonal Approach, Psychoanalytic Approach, Developmental Themes Approach, ENACT Method, STOP-GAP Method Bergman Drama Therapy Approach, Rehearsals for Growth, and Performance in drama therapy. Section III describes four related approachesOCoPsychodrama, Socio-drama, Playback Theatre, and Theatre of the Oppressed, each of which has had significant influence on drama therapy practice. A distinct index of key concepts in drama therapy is included, demonstrating the consolidation and breadth of theory in the field. This highly informative and indispensable volume is geared toward drama therapy training programs, mental health professionals (counselors, clinical social workers, psychologists, creative art therapists, occupational therapists), theater and drama teachers, school counselors, and organizational development consultants."

This study examines the underlying theatrical underpinning of dramatherapy, which is firmly based on an understanding of processes which are fundamentally theatrical. It approaches the subject systematically, arguing that the hidden psychological mechanisms which make theatre work are the same as those which operate in dramatherapy.

Over the past few decades, the use of the arts in health has blossomed. What, for many centuries, was seen as a fringe activity is now being recognised as a field that has enormous potential for impacting positively on both individuals and societies. However, despite this surge in interest and activity, there is still limited support available for people working in the field. Although the number of practical training courses for artists is growing and more universities are establishing research groups, most training activity occurs in either practice or research; there are relatively few opportunities to gain parallel experience in both. Arts in Health: Designing and Researching Interventions provides a complete overview of how to go about undertaking research and practice in the field of arts in health. It starts by exploring the context for arts in health interventions, including the history of the use of arts in health and the theoretical and political developments that have laid the foundations for its flourishing. It also considers what 'arts in health' encompasses and the range of disciplines involved. Part II examines how to design an arts in health intervention, develop partnerships and find funding and considers the sensitivities around working in healthcare. Part III considers the value of research for the field of arts in health and how to design and undertake a research project. Finally, part IV provides a fact file of arts in health research and practice, showing how the arts can be applied and the benefits they can bring across a range of medical disciplines. The book will be valuable for researchers, practitioners, healthcare professionals and those interested in learning more about the field.

First Published in 2002. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Theatrical Events. Borders, Dynamics and Frames is written to develop the concept of ‘Eventness’ in Theatre Studies. The book as a whole stresses the importance of understanding theatre performances as aesthetic-communicative encounters of a wide range of agents and aspects. The Theatrical Event concept means not only that performers and spectators meet, but also that the specific mental sets, backgrounds and cultural contexts they bring in, strongly contribute to the character of a particular event. Moreover, this concept gives space to the study of the role societal developments – such as technological, political, economical or educational ones – play in theatrical events.