Date of Award
Spring 5-2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
MFA - Master of Fine Arts
Department
Expressive Therapies
Advisor
Dr Jason Frydman
Abstract
This review examines the literature as it relates to the psychological and emotional impact of professional training programs for student-actors. Special attention is paid to student-actors’ developmental stage, mental health and trauma history, possible exposure to sexual harassment in rehearsal or classroom settings, specific acting techniques taught, and power dynamics between student-actors and acting teachers. Also examined is data on the potential effects that the application of trauma-informed drama therapy approaches could have on this population. This is followed by a proposed outline for a supervision-style class for student-actors led by a drama therapist intended to introduce drama therapeutic principles to begin to address this population’s potential distress. Included in this outline are possible benefits from the instruction of de-roling exercises, providing psychoeducation on the impact of trauma and the importance of healthy coping skills, and furthering the student-actor’s understanding of dramatic tools from the therapeutic perspective of drama therapy.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Burke, Kelsey, "Whatever It Takes: A Literature Review Exploring the Psychological Cost of Actor Training and How Drama Therapy Can Help" (2023). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 667.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/667
Included in
Acting Commons, Adult and Continuing Education Commons, Counseling Commons, Higher Education Commons
Rights
The author owns the copyright to this work.
