Applied Theatre as Participatory Action Research: Empowering Youth, Reframing Depression by Dr. Jason Sawyer

Dr. Jason   Sawyer

Contact Email : jmsawyer@nsu.edu

Bio (URL) : https://www.nsu.edu/Academics/Faculty-and-Academic-Divisions/Schools-and-Colleges/Ethelyn-R-Strong-School-of-Social-Work/People

Applied Theatre as Participatory Action Research: Empowering Youth, Reframing Depression

This article documents a theatre based participatory research project implemented in response to an adolescent suicide. Integrating principles of play-building as qualitative research, youth participatory action research, and community education, youth ensemble participants build a play based on youth experiences of depression. Findings define depression, address stigma, deconstruct depictions of depression in the media, critique institutionalized helping systems, and offer hope for the future. Implications for collaborative youth engaged participatory research are explored alongside participatory media, stigma, community education, youth voice, social supports, and alternative paradigm research. Pages 83 to 97