Theater and Human Flourishing (The Humanities and Human Flourishing)

The Humanities and Human Flourishing series publishes edited volumes that explore the role of human flourishing in the central disciplines of the humanities, and whether and how the humanities can increase human happiness. This volume presents essays on the significance of theater to wellbeing and human flourishing. Combining scholarship in psychology and positive psychology with new perspectives in theater and performance studies, the volume features eleven prominent theater and performance studies scholars who offer original, previously unpublished examinations of the social benefits of theater and performance. This volume explores the questions: Why is theater considered a "social good"? And what makes theater a valuable contribution to happiness and wellbeing? Contributors point to theater as a rich source of community and examine the unique value of live, theatrical performance as a medium through which trauma as well as socio-political differences can be expressed. The personal, societal, and artistic benefits of theater are examined through chapters on actors' suffering and acting training, community theater, theater and trauma, breaking social barriers through theater, etiquette in the theater, and the theatrical community as a refuge for minoritized groups. Like other titles in this series, Theater and Human Flourishing uses an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach, which here breaches the divide between science-focused fields that study human flourishing and the artistry of theatrical performance. Cover Half-Title Series Title Copyright Contents List of Illustrations Series Editor’s Foreword List of Contributors Theatrical Flourishing: An Introduction 1. Actors as Surrogate Sufferers? Toward a Model for Well-.Being in Acting Training 2. The Potential of Pain: Conflict Dramaturgy and Transformation in the Theater 3. Braver Angels: Performing Comity in a Polarized Era 4. Beyond Survival: Theater of the Oppressed, Flourishing While Fighting, and Fighting to Flourish 5. Community Musical Theater as a Human Flourishing Project 6. Teaching Theater and Detroit History for Undergraduates to Flourish 7. Changing States: The Well-.Being of English-.Language Theater in Québec 8. Refusing to Flourish: Jennifer Moon and Anat Shinar Perform Self-.Help 9. On Laughter and the Bonds of Community 10. Touching Theater: Practice, Criticism, and Aesthetics of Touch in the Flourishing Theatrical Moment 11. Theater, Performance, and Community Cultural Development for Human Thriving 12. Theatrical Flourishing: A Roundtable Discussion Index This volume, part of the Humanities and Human Flourishing series, is an edited collection focused on the significance of theater in regard to wellbeing and human flourishing. Bridging new scholarship in psychology and positive psychology, with new perspectives in theater and performance studies, this volume features eleven prominent theater and performance studies scholars who offer original, previously unpublished examinations of the social benefits of theater and performance. This volume explores the question: Why is theater considered a ""social good""? And what makes theater a valuable con "This collection explores the link between theatre and human flourishing. It interrogates both the social good of theatre and the personally restorative work of a range of live embodied performances. It brings together the disciplines of theatre (and performance studies) and psychology, especially positive psychology, to explore the social benefits of theatre: creating community, encouraging interconnection, serving as a mean to reveal and share both healing and trauma"-- Provided by publisher