Using props within performances

Continuing my research for my inquiry, I have come across many interesting papers and articles on performance arts within care homes. In 'Remember to Dance'(Vella-Burrows, Wilson 2016) they talk about the use of props in their dance sessions;

'A growing body of evidence has examined the benefits of props to stimulate sensory integration, interaction and self expression. Dance movement therapist Patricia de Tord observes that variety of props can be used to support participants co-ordination, creative impulses and imagination'

   This got me thinking of my performance and the different shows I do. For some shows I use props and others I do not. For example in my 1940s shows, I give each resident a Union Jack flag to wave during the show. I feel this does encourage the. to participate more, as they feel a part of the whole thing, becoming involved rather than being outside observers. It often gets people feeling patriotic so gather a sense of pride for their country and the songs that were so relevant during a time the country was at war. This supports the idea of improving social integration and interaction, as I always find this show most people sing along, dance (if they are able) and wave their flags throughout.
    One other example of this is during my Christmas festive shows, I give each resident a party prop e.g a tinsel scarf, santa hat, reindeer antlers etc. This appears to get them more into the party spirit, with the props being a focal point for interaction with others. Some props, the reindeer antlers for example, are very comical, so it usually strikes up laughter and conversation between residents,even ones that do not usually interact. The props also add a sense of occasion to the shows which I feel has a positive effect on the residents participation.
   Moving forward as a professional I feel I should look into my other shows and see what props I could perhaps incorporate and how that would benefit the way in which the audience received the performance.

Quotes taken from- Remember to Dance
Evaluating the impact of dance activities for people in different stages of dementia
Trish Vella-Burrows and Lian Wilson

De Tord, P. and Braununger, I. (2015) Grounding: Theoretical application and practice in dance and movement therapy. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 43. DOI: 10.1016/j.aip.2015.02.001

Themed workshops within care homes.

   Continuing my research on the Hearts and Mind project, they talk about their case studies, in which they go into care settings and conduct reminiscence arts workshops. These workshops include, dance, drama, singing and other creative arts. They explain how 'Most workshops were organised around a theme that was designed to prompt reminiscence and memories' and one theme was 'Summer holidays'. This immediately cast my mind back to a Summer themed show I did this year at a particular home. Previously I have talked about the importance of carer involvement and how the activities coordinators can really make or break an atmosphere for a show. When I arrived, they had completely transformed the downstairs of the home into a holiday camp seaside resort. Everything was decorated with bunting and seaside shop signs, all the staff were dressed as Butlins 'red coats', they were making fresh donuts and even had a candy floss stand. The residents were also wearing sun hats, sunglasses etc and it really was like stepping into a seaside town. Of course this created an extremely positive atmosphere from the get go as everyone was in 'holiday mood'.
   My Summer show has all classic seaside songs such as 'I do like to be beside the seaside', 'Summer Holiday', 'My little stick of Blackpool Rock' and many more. Because these are such well known Summer songs, everybody was singing along and dancing, evoking memories from their own holidays in the past. With the help of the staff, residents were all involved, either singing, dancing and even throwing around a beach ball! When speaking to the residents afterwards they were sharing their own stories and the whole moral of the room was so positive.
    Creating a reminiscent environment, I feel is so beneficial to these sessions, and it is shown through the residents participation and helping them relive past memories. I would love to see in the future, staff becoming more involved in activities, as the benefits are so clear to see in developing a greater living experience for residents in care homes.

Quotes taken from- 'Summative Evaluation of Hearts and Minds. A Three Year programme by Age Exchange Theatre Trust.' Royal Holloway University of London, Professor Helen Nichilson- pg 46.

Getting the most from the arts

Whilst researching articles for my literature review I came across a very interesting statement, which I feel directly affects my work on a daily basis.
   The 'Hearts and Mind' organisation ran a three year programme with 'Age Exchange Theatre Trust', writing up an evaluative report on this in between 2011-2013. They ran performance workshops in care and residential settings throughout those years and reported their findings. One recommendation they stated was, 'Age Exchange's creative practice and ability to influence the culture of care is restricted by a lack of management involvement, regulations in care settings and some inflexibility in the model of workshops' (Nicholson, 2013). I find this extremely true within many residential homes I perform in; factors such as funding cuts, restricts how often they can hire outside entertainment, lack of staff involvement plays a significant part in how much the residents become involved themselves. Also time restrictions, often due to set meal times, the only convenient time for shows are 2pm, so naturally these slots are always very busy so it is difficult for homes to book in the times and dates they desire.
   Below are two extracts from journals, comparing two shows; one where I was left alone with the residents with no involve met from staff, and one experience which was completely the opposite.

Quote taken from: 'Summative Evaluation of Hearts and minds, A Three Year Programme by Age Exchange Theatre Trust, Royal Holloway University of London, Professor Helen Nicholson, 2013, pg 8)

Journal extract- May 2016

   First show of the day was a 'Musical madness' show. My first visit to the residency, I was shown to the dining room where the residents had just finished breakfast so were still sat around tables, facing various directions of the room. I set up as instructed in the corner of the room, assuming the residents would be gathered around the area and turned around from the breakfast table. However I was soon enough left alone in the room without careers or staff and none of the residents were moved around to face the performance. Of course I cannot handle anyone so could not move them myself, so had to adapt my performance to move around the room so they could see me at some point.
  Although the residents appeared to enjoy the show, and said they did afterwards, I felt most of them could not get a full experience due to being all over then room. Something so simple as moving everybody so they are in clear focus can have such an effect on an experience. They were not fully engaged as they had restricted view and therefore could get distracted or loose attention quickly.

Journal extract- February 2016

   I arrived around 15 minutes early to set up, and the residents were already sat waiting listening to a 'Frank Sinatra' cd, which tied in well because I was performing a Swing style show. The activities co ordinator was handing out drinks to the residents and some snacks. There were three other care staff in the room tending to various residents as they were settling down for the show. Once the show started the residents began to sing along, with the careers and co ordinator going round to residents encouraging to sing and dance in their chairs. During the song 'Can't Take my Eyes off of you' they got several residents up to dance and then a few more got up on their own accord. This spurred the other residents to clap along to the song. This positive atmosphere was kept up the. For the rest of the performance wit various people getting up to dance throughout and everyone was singing along and clapping.


The two performance were so different from a little participation from the staff. I feel this is such an important part of performances as the residents know and trust the carers so are much more likely to let go and get more involved with their encouragement.