Journal Article
Theatre as Research
pp86-92
© Jul 2018 Volume 16 Issue 2, Intuitive Researcher, Editor: Jocene Vallack, pp55 - 102
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Abstract
This paper presents a methodology called Theatre as Research. It argues that using theatre to analyse and present research findings draws on both the creative and intuitive unconscious as well as the logical, cognitive and rational dimensions of the mind. The methodology is presented in a big picture context, showing its philosophical alignment, from the overarching epistemology of Constructionism, which informs the whole approach, right down to the methods used to implement the research process. Within this context, the paper also discusses various theories that support the notion of intuition as a way of knowing. Gebser’s (1986) theory of the evolution of consciousness, along with contemporary theories of psychoanalysis and left and right brain functioning, collectively support the contention that Theatre as Research is able to draw on the powerful and creative unconscious to inform the final, cognitive analysis of the data. It is a process through which the unconscious synthesis of data to produce impressions and metaphors can then be clarified and articulated through the mindful scripting and presentation of the play.
Keywords: Arts-Based Research Methods, Theatre as Research Methodology, Qualitative research, Performance Text, Ethnodrama
Journal Issue
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Editorial
Guest Editor
Dr Jocene Vallack, formerly an actor, writer, director and Drama teacher, she has lectured in Research Methods at universities in Australia, and also as a volunteer in Tanzania. She has held a research fellowship at Central Queensland University, and has worked in Academic Development. She now enjoys teaching Arts Education at James Cook University.
Keywords: Reflexivity, autoethnography, intuition, academic environment, researcher identity, research supervisor, PhD student, Human centred design, service design, design research methods, design thinking, arts-informed research, wicked problems, commercial design, arts-based research, mixed-methods, philosophy, triangulation, triage, Arts-Based Research Methods, Theatre as Research Methodology, Qualitative research, Performance Text, Ethnodrama, Poetic transcription, visual displays, visual culture, hermeneutics, narrative inquiry, art education