Staging the Personal

This book examines the history, ethics, and intentions of staging personal stories, and offers a model of safe and ethical practice for theater-makers. Contemporary theater has crossed boldly into therapeutic terrain and is now the site of radical self-exposure. Stage productions that would once have seemed shockingly personal and exposing have become commonplace, as people reveal their personal stories to audiences with ever-increasing candor. While there are many successful and inspirational examples of such productions, at the same time, there are significant risks inherent in putting people's private lives on the stage, particularly when their stories focus on unresolved difficulties or when the performers may be vulnerable. To address these risks, this book offers theater-makers detailed guidance and a practical model, the Drama Spiral , to support safe, ethical, and intentional practice when staging personal stories. This is a book for theater practitioners, educators, students, autobiographical performers, and the people who support them. It is also for psychodramatists, dramatherapists, and everyone in the helping professions who wants to incorporate drama-based approaches into their practice.