Abstract

This paper aims to provide a basis for proposed interventions using play scripts within a therapeutic theatre model. The present study hopes to identify a gap in the uses of existing professional play scripts for therapeutic theatre, and instead, finds much literature emphasizing devised therapeutic theatre. The scope of the paper aims to propose therapeutic theatre interventions that use scripts which focus on themes addressing systemic oppression. Additionally, regarding scope, the three plays selected for the proposed interventions deal with themes of systemic oppression written and produced in Canada. The evaluation of existing literature that defines therapeutic theatre and identifies differences between devised therapeutic theatre and therapeutic theatre that uses pre-existing plays is the first point of interest in the literature review. Following, a review of drama therapists and theatre practitioners’ essays are evaluated for coming to a concrete rationale for what can be constituted as systemic oppression. The methodology aims to support an intervention research approach (Fraser ad Galinsky, 2010), outlines the selection criteria for the selected plays, and relates them to the interventions’ specific goals following Phil Jones’ drama therapy core processes (2007). The proposed interventions will be justified by the theoretical analysis and can be applied/adapted by drama therapists wishing to engage in existing play scripts for therapeutic theatre to tackle themes of systemic oppression their clients may face. The paper points to future work, to create a growing catalogue of similar interventions that can expand on existing literature which use play scripts in therapeutic theatre to tackle a wide array of therapeutic themes. These proposed interventions at present are untested and represent a strictly theoretical analysis of what could be possible using this approach.