Thesis
Back from the brink: an investigation of theatre-based programming for veterans
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Dec 2022
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00001202
Abstract
Veterans with anxiety, depression, or PTSD are at high risk for suicide; art therapy has proven beneficial for those veterans who participate ("2021 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report" 2021; Ramirez, 2016; Smith 2016). Research examining the benefits of arts engagement for veterans largely focuses on painting, drawing, listening to music, or going to a museum. There is a shortage of studies that examine the benefits of theatre-based engagement. Using a qualitative research approach, founders and facilitators of theatre-based programming for veterans were interviewed to discover how their programs are delivered to veterans. While the activities vary by organization, there are several similarities in how they are delivered and the barriers veterans face in engaging with these programs. The trends discovered through these interviews include: mental health as a barrier; the importance for facilitators to remain acutely aware of the veteran participant's needs; and the impacts and themes in the veteran participants' work. These trends can aid the arts and culture sector in understanding how to responsibly and ethically produce theatre programs for veterans struggling with mental health or reintegration.
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Details
- Title
- Back from the brink
- Creators
- Brianne Marie Shaw
- Contributors
- Pamela Yau (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- ix, 79 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Arts Administration; Arts and Entertainment Enterprise; Drexel University; Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
- Other Identifier
- 991018531015404721