Theatre and cultural transformations around madness: a study of the aesthetic reception of theater performances with actors with history of psychological distress

• Grant number: 11/00756-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2011
• End date: December 31, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Maria Freire de Araújo Lima
• Grantee: Aline Ernandes Milhomens
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Changes in mental health care in Brazil, initiated by the Psychiatric Reform in the 1970's, led to the creation of alternatives to the deconstruction of the psychiatric paradigm. The traditional therapeutic treatments have been reconsidered in order to guide the construction of repertoires in the production of life in conjunction with art and culture. This connection made appear in the Brazilian cultural scenario a realm of cultural production that provides the establishment of relations between users and nonusers of mental health services. BACKGROUND: Several cultural activities are being produced by users of mental health services. Given this context is essential to observe the relationship that the public has established with them, in order to understand the meaning attached to cultural activities whose artists are people in psychological distress. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research is to investigate what is produced in the encounter art, madness and society from the point of view of the aesthetic reception of theater performances with actors in psychological distress. METHODS: Application of a questionnaire consisting of six questions to be answered by the viewers of the performances. The analysis of the interviews will be in line to assess the various views and feelings that made up the audience during the experience of the show in order to find common and uncommon aspects of their responses. (AU)