ERIC Number: EJ1471508
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Jun
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1354-4187
EISSN: EISSN-1468-3156
Available Date: 2024-11-26
Creative Journeys Involving Adults with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities: Co-Development in Multi-Sensory Theatre
British Journal of Learning Disabilities, v53 n2 p272-282 2025
Background: The last decade has seen developments in collaborative multi-sensory theatre and dramatic performance involving individuals with profound and multiple learning disabilities. The current study investigated co-development processes used by a multi-sensory theatre company that employed four artists with profound and multiple learning disabilities. Methods: A qualitative approach was adopted, involving preliminary observations and in-depth interviews with 10 individuals who performed different roles in the company. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. Findings: Three themes emerged, centring around concepts of interactional 'space': the space between (how meanings were co-constructed); the space around (how the dramatic narrative was coproduced); the space beyond (how collaboration occurred in the live multi-sensory show). A fourth theme, the journey, connected all the spaces in a process of learning and changing, enjoyment, having a voice and developing the narrative. Conclusions: Through participating in co-creative processes of artistic development, people with profound and multiple learning disabilities can share their expertise and contribute to the sensory theatrical shows as artists in their own right.
Descriptors: Multiple Disabilities, Theater Arts, Severe Disabilities, Multisensory Learning, Cooperation, Learning Processes, Learner Engagement
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1School of Health Science, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK; 2Rix Inclusive Research, Docklands Campus, University of East London, London, UK