Aging & Social Change: Ninth Interdisciplinary Conference

Abstract

Drama classes are a joyful way to be creative. This research explores the impact on wellbeing of a nine-week program of drama classes for women with refugee backgrounds in Sydney, Australia; and the strengths and limitations of methods used. Through analysis of observations, conversations and sharing circles with the class members and drama teachers, a range of encouraging social and psychological benefits were seen. These included: happiness, improved self-confidence, language and communication skills and social connections. Importantly the classes encouraged resilience and agency. Key contributions from this research are the importance of a play-based approach of games and improvisation for supporting the women’s wellbeing, and how weekly sharing circles in the classes were an important method for building group connection and improving communication skills. This paper outlines the research project - its novel methods and findings, and discusses the key contributions from this research.