NCJ Number
146668
Date Published
1991
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This video profiles the work of the Project Return Players, a group of persons with mental disorders who perform improvisational drama before community groups to acquaint them with the experiences of those who are mentally ill.
Abstract
The video documents the actual performances of the group before various groups. The dramatizations use both comedy and drama to familiarize the audience with the experiences of the mentally ill. Following the performance, each player gives the audience a brief history of his/her mental illness. The players focus on the needs they have in common with the members of the audience: the needs to be cared for, praised, and appreciated. Group members describe how the group and its performances have met many of their mental health needs. The success of the group and the audience responses to the group's performance have been the first experiences of success and appreciation for many group members.