Monologue/Scene 3:The Newpath Theater Project
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Setting: Newpath, Memory Assisted Living
Characters:
Beverly, in her 80’s, living with Alzheimer’s Disease
Drama Therapist, a registered drama therapist
Drama Therapist: Hello Beverly, I came to check in on you. You look sad. Are you ok?
Beverly: I don’t know. I don’t know what to do. I look out this window and there is nowhere to go. I don’t know what to do. I know that I am not like I use to be. I have trouble remembering things. I’m not like I was before, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t do things.
Drama Therapist: I agree, you can do so many things, Beverly. I see you making connections with friends and helping others feel better. We shared music and dance this morning. You taught me some good moves!
Beverly: Really? Oh my! (laughs)
Drama Therapist: The first time I met you, Bev, I invited the group to join me on the red carpet and to give out Oscar Awards. You were in a wheelchair at the time. You got up, walked on the red carpet and handed your friend, Rhonda, an Oscar award. You told her that you were giving her the award because she was such a good friend. You said that when you feel sad, she cheers you up and that whenever you need a friend, she is there for you.
Beverly: It’s true. She is such a good friend to me. But she has a man now. I need something to do. I need purpose. Just because I’m like this doesn’t mean I can’t do things.
Drama Therapist: If you could do something, anything, what would you do?
Beverly: (thinks) I love the theater. I helped run a theater in Palm Springs.
Drama Therapist: Beverly! Are you kidding me? That is music to my ears. I love the theater.
Beverly: You do?
Drama Therapist: Oh, my goodness, yes! I didn’t know you worked in the theater.
Beverly: Yes, after I retired, we moved to Florida. There was a theater there. I helped produce some of the plays.
Drama Therapist: Wow! We should do something together, Beverly!
Beverly: Really? What should we do?
Drama Therapist: Let’s do a play together! You can help manage the play. You can be the Producer. I also think you should be an Actor in the play if you are up for it.
Beverly: Oh no! I will stick with the producing. (laughs)
Drama Therapist: Ok fine, I think you should do some acting, but maybe I can convince you later. You can be the Producer.
Beverly: (smiles) That sounds nice. What play are we going to do?
Drama Therapist: Hm. That’s a good question. You always enjoy it when I share the story The Wizard of Oz.
Beverly: That’s a good one. Let’s do Wizard of Oz.
Drama Therapist: Well, that was easy! So as the official Producer of the Wizard of Oz, what do you think our theater company be called?
Beverly: What is this place called again? This place where I live.
Drama Therapist: Newpath?
Beverly: Yes, let’s call it that.
Drama Therapist: Newpath…The Newpath Theater Project?
Beverly: I like that, The Newpath Theater Project.
Drama Therapist: The Newpath Theater Project! Look at that. We just started our own theater company.
Beverly: (laughs) Ok. I guess we have some work to do.
Reflections:
The scene between Beverly and the Drama Therapist (DT) demonstrates a co-creative process, strength-based approach and an example of an authentic, therapeutic relationship. In service of Beverly, the DT listens to Beverly’s concerns and from a place of compassion and care, the DT offers an intervention that helps Bev find stability and harmony in the here-and-now. Through the intentions of the DT, Beverly’s feelings are validated, and her concerns are met with respect and attention. As Beverly shares her experience in the theater, the DT embraces the opportunity and invites Beverly to work on a theater project together that will strengthen the therapeutic alliance and give Beverly a sense of purpose and confidence. At the same time the theater project will help bring the community together and offer residents the opportunity to take on new roles not just in the play, but also in life.
Role Theory in Drama Therapy
Role Theory says that our ability to take on new roles and move in and out of other roles enables us to maintain balance and stability. Beverly taking on the role of The Producer allows Beverly to experience a purpose in her life stage. Taking on the role of The Producer offers a sense of belonging, moving her away from the role of The Sick One or Elder and into a role that lifts her spirits, gives her energy, inspiration, joy and helps connects her to others. The Newpath Theater Project gives the residents an opportunity to take on new roles which allows them to see themselves in new ways. At the same time, it invites family and friends to see their loved one in a new role and environment. For example, Maisy who played Dorothy in the production of The Wizard of Oz at Newpath, was able to revisit roles that she had played out in her younger years such as The Actor and The Tap Dancer. Inviting Maisy to participate in the project and providing her with specific tasks that are strength based and familiar to Maisy, allowed her to play out roles that bring confidence and purpose.
Therapeutic Performance
Connection: The Newpath Theater Project brings family, friends and community together in a way that celebrates each resident and their contributions. It provides a shared creative language that helps everyone connect and understand that this is an environment of collaboration, safety, acceptance and enjoyment. Rather than struggling what to say with residents experiencing aphasia, a loss of language due to Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia, family members and friends can use music lyrics, the script and movement to connect and communicate with loved ones.
Health and Wellness: As residents come together to share the play through reading the script, singing songs, movement guided by the Drama Therapist and purposeful engagement, symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia are decreased. The Newpath Theater Project encourages residents to maintain concentration and focus through compassionate touch, singing, storytelling and the use of props like scarves and items related to the play.
Symptom Management: Anger, agitation and frustration which can be symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia, is lessened by the creative intervention of the performance and the consistency and structure of the rehearsal process. The interventions made by the DT throughout rehearsal and performance, offers individuals positive stimulation through verbal prompting, music, movement, modeling of actions and therapeutic touch. With these actions in mind, individuals stay awake and alert and make accidents like falling less likely to happen. It is the mission of the DT not only to encourage the group to participate and keep engaged, but to utilize acting skills as a therapeutic device to entertain and encourage laughter. Laughter and joy will help individuals living with dementia to sleep better, transition to the next program or task with more ease and helps improve overall health and mood.
Safe Container:
The consistent rehearsal and performance space provides the residents with an environment that is supportive and familiar. The group comes together to share well known songs and theater games to build connection and comfort. From there, the group reads a script that has been designed to meet specific needs of each resident, taking into consideration their interests, history, strengths, and challenges. The cast of performers take the center stage and are held by the other residents that are seated around them. All members have a part to play whether it is a main character, audience member or musician. The DT moves around the “stage” with flexibility so that everyone is engaged, seen and heard. The movement of the DT and structure of the stage design provides a contained space that provides stability, security and trust within the group.
Unlock the places that are holding you back from being your authentic self. Keyhole Therapeutic Arts offers a variety of expressive techniques, drama, art, music, movement, creative coaching, and one-on-one care to support you in your journey towards balance and harmony. One of the tools offered is the Keyhole Monologues which serves to show the different ways we use drama therapy to help clients. It serves as a design and reference to how you can use creativity to support and guide yourself or your loved one.
