City Research Online

Abstract

Dramatic performances in theatre, film and television portray realistic characters in conflict with themselves, others, or wider issues and have an emotional impact on audiences. However, the psychological effect on actors of creating such performances has not been extensively researched, and the industry is inconsistent in its understanding of the challenges actors face and in the support it provides. This study identified gaps in counselling psychology and attempted to understand the personal and subjective experiences for individuals in relation to performing dramatic arts and the psychological impacts of emotive dramatic performance for actors. The research explored the following questions:

• What are the personal and subjective experiences for individuals in relation to performing dramatic arts?

• What are the psychological experiences of emotive dramatic performance for actors?

Eight actors were selected based on having acted in an emotive dramatic performance to examine their personal and professional experiences. Their data was collected through semi-structured interviewing and analysed using an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach. In accordance with IPA methodology, the participant’s data was then categorised by the different processes of how they conveyed their personal experiences as an actor in relation to their engagement in emotive dramatic performances. These participant processes, termed Personal Experiential Themes, were then organised into Group Experiential Themes (GETs).

The findings of this analysis revealed that actors seemed to necessitate using a high level of emotional engagement through integration and striving for authenticity in order to identify and connect with the characters they portray. While finding this process gratifying, actors also acknowledged many challenges associated with the work they do, leading to the need to find various ways of coping to manage with these challenges. Accordingly, from the four GETs that emerged from the eight interviews, it was conveyed that (A) acting involves a high level of emotional engagement to (B) allow them to identify and connect with the characters they portray. These first themes led to (C) identifying the challenges associated with the acting profession and (D) the coping mechanisms used by participants to manage these challenges.

The research findings above have been discussed in relation to current literature. As well, implications for practice within counselling psychology are considered by identifying specific therapeutic interventions which could be adapted for the acting population. Implications for the general field of counselling psychology and future research are also considered in relation to exploring the actor experience of emotive dramatic performance.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare N Fine Arts > N Visual arts (General) For photography, see TR N Fine Arts > NX Arts in general
Departments:	School of Health & Medical Sciences > Psychology School of Health & Medical Sciences > School of Health & Medical Sciences Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

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