Abstract

The purpose of this applied theatre essay was to observe effects and impacts on older adults engaging in theatre activities and storytelling surrounding the horrors of Detroit’s 1967 Riots. Classes were held at the Hannan Center, an organization designed to serve the older adult community offering a variety of services in the city of Detroit. The group of older adults attended weekly theatre classes, meeting for 1½ hr on Thursday mornings. The observational was conducted for 4 weeks. Using observational research methods, data were collected and analyzed. The essay summarizes the background of the Teaching Artist experience, group reflections, written reflection, group, video recordings, and individual interviews on the Detroit ‘67 Riot Theatre Project. The essay describes the author’s observation with older adults using applied theatre methods and techniques that brought their personal stories of the tragic historical events during the summer of 1967 in Detroit, to creating a community performance. Data collected from student reflections reveal the power of theatre and how they were empowered from having an opportunity, and a platform that allowed their voices to be heard from page to stage.

摘要

这篇实用的戏剧文章的目的是观察对从事戏剧活动和讲述底特律1967年骚乱的恐怖故事的老年人的影响。在汉南中心举办课程，该组织旨在为底特律市的老年人社区提供各种服务。一群老年人参加每周一次的戏剧课，在星期四早上开会1.5小时。观察进行了4周。使用观察性研究方法，收集和分析数据。本文总结了底特律67防暴剧院项目中教学艺术家的经历，小组反思，书面反思，小组，视频录像以及个人访谈的背景。这篇文章描述了作者对老年人的观察，他们运用剧院的方法和技巧，将他们在1967年夏季在底特律的悲惨历史事件的个人故事带到了社区表演中。从学生的反思中收集的数据揭示了戏剧的力量，以及他们如何有机会被赋予权力，以及一个平台，可以从每一页上听到他们的声音。