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- Title
Which Catharsis Do They Mean? Aristotle, Moreno, Boal and Organization Theatre.
- Authors
Meisiek, Stefan
- Abstract
An often-suggested effect of dramatic performances is catharsis. In this essay, three catharsis-related concepts are used to help explain the effects of organization theatre. First, according to Aristotle, theatre leads to release from negative affect, whereby the eliciting of emotions is seen as a means of purifying related bad memories. Theatre is supposed to arouse feelings connected with recognized problems by presenting these on the stage, thus allowing the audience to relive them passively and, because of their non-real presentation as drama, also to resolve them. The second concept, Moreno's idea of a creativity-generating catharsis, was developed in connection with active participation in psychodrama and with actors' training. By drawing on negative experiences and actively reliving them on stage, participants can develop the creativity needed to find new solutions. Third, Boa! assumes that when an audience actively engages in the play by proposing solutions after art introductory scene has been performed, this serves as a test run for the problems that are encountered in real life. Thus, the test in the play provides the audience with the necessary action motivation to overcome such problems. These three approaches to catharsis are discussed and are then related to organization theatre in illustrative examples of companies that provide such performances.
- Subjects
CATHARSIS; ORGANIZATIONAL change; CREATIVE ability; DRAMA therapy; RECREATIONAL therapy; THEATER
- Publication
Organization Studies, 2004, Vol 25, Issue 5, p797
- ISSN
0170-8406
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1177/0170840604042415