Growing a method for empowerment with applied theatre

Abstract

The article describes how Applied Theatre in creative workshops for persons with learning disabilities came to facilitate the development of a method for promoting self-determination through actualisation of empowerment. The study explores the lived experiences of self-determination in residents living in group homes, through co-creative processes of method development. The presented experiences are bi-findings to the original intent, resulting from an occurring process when urged to interview the institutionalised bearer of everyday oppression—The House—by using roleplay. This activity converted into a game, which when analysed, shed light upon fundamental elements underpinning a method for promoting self-determination. Points of interest Self-determination is a human right, which allows all to make own decisions and live in line with own taste. Persons with learning disabilities in group homes often experience low self-determination. In the study the participant’s tended to speak about the group-home as if the House itself was alive, and had power to decide over the residents. We used roleplay to interview the House and co-created a game to enhance empowerment. The game contributed in changing the participant’s attitudes, from holding back to standing up for oneself. Working with theatre provided possibilities to experiment on alternative forms of action. Since we were just playing, the participants could allow themselves more. They could take lead of their own processes, and develop their own path at their own pace. Such creative group-work can thereby be a method to promote self-determination for persons with learning disabilities.