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NYT article: Using Theater As a Salve To Soothe Minds

This New York Times article describes a

European drama school where people with disabilities not only learn their own lines but also design and make sets and costumes, do their own makeup and, finally, conceive dramatic plots.

The drama school is called Pathological Theater (NB: role communicator of what we name programs). Pathology means the study of the causes and effects of diseases. It can also be used to refer to abnormalities or malfunctions. What does this communicate about the people associated with the Pathological Theater?

When you look at the article, compare the picture of the founder with the picture presumably of two of the actors. His picture has a caption, shows him smiling and in a nice button down shirt. The caption gives his name and several roles. The caption for the photo of the two actors is included in the founder’s caption, rather than being under their photo. It does not give their names but does describe them as ‘members of the company working on a scene.’ It is a very odd photo. What roles do the photos communicate without the captions? How about with the captions?

Evidence in the article of segregation/congregation:

15 teachers instruct 60 students–mostly schizophrenic, catatonic, manic-depressive, autistic and those with Down syndrome

Evidence of competency enhancement:

Marina Fiaschette, 42, who has Down Syndrome … In 2008, she acted in Mr. D’Ambrosi’s “Medea,” reciting in ancient Greek.

Role references:

I am an actress now.

The article could be used as a the basis for an exercise in an SRV or related workshops.

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