Persona & Performance - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1849851220 ISBN 13: 9781849851220

Synopsis

This book, by one of the world's leading dramatherapists, demonstrates how the concept of role connects the areas of dramatherapy, theatre and everyday life, and provides a detailed model for a role-based form of therapy. Based on a central assumption that well-being depends on the individual's capacity to manage a complex and often contradictory set of roles, it: examines the origins and development of the role metaphor plays both in drama and the social sciences; discusses how role can be used as a form of therapy, using detailed clinical case studies both of an individual and a group; and provides a comprehensive taxonomy of theatrical roles drawn from repeated types throughout the history of Western dramatic literature, arguing that an understanding of these will enhance an understanding of the dramatic nature of healing through role. With references drawn from art and the social sciences, theatre, popular culture and personal experience, "Persona and Performance" should of useful to all people interested in the use of drama and theatre as therapy.

About this title

Review

.,."a welcome addition to the literature..." --JEWISH SOCIAL WORK FORUM
"I recommend this absorbing book for therapists and literary-minded laypersons seeking a more in-depth view of the many selves we inwardly experience and outwardly manifest." --"Rehearsals for Growth"
"The author, director of the drama therapy program at New York University, uses case studies and a comprehensive taxonomy of theatrical roles to create an aesthetically based role theory." --"Journal of Social Work Education"
"The writing style of this unusual book is lucid and holds the reader's attention. Graduate through professional." --"Choice"
"This book offers a very human and readable account of a new approach to the uses of role and roleplay in therapy. It will widen the understanding of roleplay as used in family therapy, playtherapy, social groupwork and dramatherapy. A book to be read and thought about for a long time." --Alida Gersie, Senior dramatherapist, University of Hertfordshire

"Robert Landy's book is more than a study of how we may creatively use role-playing at the deepest level. It contains a theory of human communication which enriches the humanities and the social sciences." --Neil Postman, Ph.D., New York University, Department of Culture and Communication

"Robert Landy has researched and written a major contribution not only to the world of dramatherapy, but also to theatre and psychotherapy. Only now can we grasp an in-depth understanding of roles and their essential part of all human development. This book paves the way for a greater awareness of the function of roles in both our everyday lives, as well as in the remediation that is possible through dramatherapy. This is a courageous book which moves forward the theoretical debate in dramatherapy and serves as a model of detailed research for future practitioners. Dr. Landy shows us that our understanding of life needs to come through our understanding of theatre, and that life roles and theatre roles are interconnected in a process that is paradoxical: that we are both in-role and not in-role at one and the same time. Hence the dilemma of Hamlet is our own dilemma--how can we both be and not be?

Not only does Robert Landy guide us through his detailed and meticulous research into hundreds of characters from plays which provides a role taxonomy for understanding human behavior, he also demonstrates how this can be applied both in assessment and therapy with a wide variety of populations. This important book sets up a dialogue between theatre and life; it is a milestone of its kind. Dr. Landy's book should be read by theatre artists and therapists alike, as well as clinicians and educators." --Sue Jennings, Ph.D., London Hospital Medical College

"PERSONA AND PERFORMANCE is a sweeping analysis of human experience in terms of theatrical roles. The book is scholarly, broad in scope, and deep in content. Dr. Landy's carefully reasoned perspective shows us that we express ourselves within a myriad of roles, at the intersection of the individual and society. These building blocks of our personality, our 'Self', do not form a unitary solid, but are more of a continuously moving dance or kaleidoscope. The goal of psychotherapy should be to expand this repertoire of roles, and to make our role-taking more flexible and more responsive to the demands of our lives.

The book includes beautiful case studies of an individual and a group - both reflected metaphorically in the theatrical characters that emerge from this dynamic process. Dr. Landy captures the excitement of his clients' explorations. Incredibly, he demonstrates how elements of world dramatic literature emerge out of ordinary people. Similar to Jung's archetypes, these basic human forms are described as potentialities of spirit, in a well-designed system of classification.

PERSONA AND PERFORMANCE is a remarkable literary achievement. Not only does it advance the field of drama therapy, but it also contributes a fascinating perspective to other psychotherapeutic approaches. I recommend this book to all clinicians and scholars in mental health, the arts, and humanities." --David Read Johnson, Ph.D., RDT, Associate Professor, Yale University School of Medicine and Director, Post Traumatic Stress Disorders Program, VA Medical Center (New Haven, CT).

"A welcome addition to the literature." --Simone Zaniowka Gordon, D.S.W., Adjunct Assistant Professor, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University

Review

Landy's insights and methods are, I am sure, of particular interest to drama therapists but there is undoubtedly scope for the rest of us to use them as an addition to our repertoire of tools as counsellors. (Counselling)

Landy's lucidly-written book explores the idea that emotional well-being depends on our ability to manage complex and contradictory roles. Aimed particularly at mental health workers, it develops its theory from an extended single case study and a group case study. (Theatre)

Landy writes clearly although the topic is sometimes complex. The reader is carried along by his understanding of and enthusiasm for his subject... the book has much to offer the psychodramatist. The theory it contains, and his eight stage method of treatment can be utilised. (British Psychodrama Association)

This is a courageous book which moves forward the theoretical debate in dramatherapy and serves as a model of detailed research for future practitioners. (Sue Jennings)

This book offers a very human and readable account of a new approach to the uses of role and roleplay in therapy. It will widen the understanding of roleplay as used in family therapy, playtherapy, social groupwork and dramatherapy. A book to be read and thought about for a long time. (Alida Gersie)

This book is welcome as a major contribution to the field. (Changes)

Edition details

• ISBN 10: 1849851220
• ISBN 13: 9781849851220
• Binding: Paperback