Persona and Performance
The Meaning of Role in Drama, Therapy and Everyday Life
Published on 1. October 1993
Book
Paperback/Softback
250 pages
978-1-85302-230-2 (ISBN)
Description
The metaphor linking the world with the stage is one that has captured the imagination of philosophers, poets and social scientists for millennia. In Persona and Performance, Robert Landy shows that drama provides not only a metaphor for everyday life, but also a means of self-examination and life-enhancement. Encompassing the full range of human experience, role allows us to conceptualize the personality, which Landy views as a system of roles. He suggests that emotional well-being depends upon an individual's capacity to manage a complex and often contradictory set of roles, demonstrating the way in which role offers a uniquely effective method for working through significant personal problems when used as an element of drama therapy.
Combining theoretical discussions with practical clinical illustrations, the volume opens with a review of the origins and development of role in drama and the social sciences. The author draws upon theoretical, clinical and anecdotal evidence to show how the concept of role connects the three domains of drama, therapy and everyday life. He then extends C G Jung's system of psychological archetypes, derived form character types repeatedly found in Western drama. Exhaustive in scope, the taxonomy was created as a means of analyzing both everyday life and the types of therapeutic performances that occur within the process of drama therapy. Ways we can learn to live with role ambivalence, complexity and contradiction are discussed in the final chapter.
The work is illuminated by the inclusion of an extended single case study and a group case study, both of which clearly illustrate the use of the dramatic role method of clinical treatment. Laying the groundwork for an aesthetically based role theory, this volume is destined to become a classic in the field.
Combining theoretical discussions with practical clinical illustrations, the volume opens with a review of the origins and development of role in drama and the social sciences. The author draws upon theoretical, clinical and anecdotal evidence to show how the concept of role connects the three domains of drama, therapy and everyday life. He then extends C G Jung's system of psychological archetypes, derived form character types repeatedly found in Western drama. Exhaustive in scope, the taxonomy was created as a means of analyzing both everyday life and the types of therapeutic performances that occur within the process of drama therapy. Ways we can learn to live with role ambivalence, complexity and contradiction are discussed in the final chapter.
The work is illuminated by the inclusion of an extended single case study and a group case study, both of which clearly illustrate the use of the dramatic role method of clinical treatment. Laying the groundwork for an aesthetically based role theory, this volume is destined to become a classic in the field.
Reviews / Votes
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. -- ChangesMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Dimensions
Height: 233 mm
Width: 155 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
456 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-85302-230-2 (9781853022302)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Robert J Landy is Professor of Drama Therapy and Educational Theatre at New York University.
Content
Preface. A journeyer to the spiritual mount. 1. The Origins of Role. Hamlet's soliloquy and the paradox of drama; Role ambivalence; The origins of role in drama/theatre; The origin of role in the social sciences; The origin of role in art and literature; From role metaphor to role concept. 2. The Development of Role. The human being as role recipient; The human being as role-taker; The human being as role-player; The role system. 3. The Drama Therapy Role Method. The invocation of the role; The naming of the role; The playing out/working through of the role; Exploring alternative qualities in sub-role; Reflecting upon role-play: discovering role qualities, functions and styles inherent in the role; Relating the fictional role to everyday life; Integrating roles to create a functional role system; Social modeling. 4. The Case of Michael. The treatment: Beginnings; The three bears; The Lawyer; Black rage; The boy who learned to burn; Fathers and sons; The judge and the raincoat; The mask of the actor; The critic; The blind girl; An integration. 5. The Case of Michael Part II. The kiss; The wooden clogs and the rubber boots; The marriage proposal; The glass heart; Bugs; More glass; Me vida abajo (My life down there); The confused searcher; The beat of black wings; My father's body; Mickey and Jake: you dream at your own risk; Victor/victim; The ring; Postscript. 6. The Case of Hansel and Gretel: An Example of a Drama Therapy Group. Implications of the role method for diagnosis; Evaluation. 7. Role in Everyday Life. Role type and archetype; Somatic roles; Cognitive roles; Affective roles; Social/cultural roles; Spiritual roles; Aesthetic roles. 8. A Taxonomy of Roles: Building a Theatrical Archetype System. The form of the taxonomy: The taxonomy of roles. 9. The Taxonomy: Cognitive and Affective Domains. Domain: cognitive; Domain: affective. 10. The Taxonomy: Social Domain Domain: social. 11. The Taxonomy: Spiritual and Aesthetic Domains. Domain: spiritual; Domain: aesthetic; The use and significance of the taxonomy. 12. Conclusion. References. Appendix.