“The theatre group program: the Italian experience of a social and emotional rehabilitation after breast cancer ” “The theatre group program: the Italian experience of a social and emotional rehabilitation after breast cancer ” Multidisciplinary Breast Center, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

“The birth of the idea…” The idea was born inside one of the support groups of women with breast cancer at the Multidisciplinary Breast Center of the Catholic University of Rome. The idea was born inside one of the support groups of women with breast cancer at the Multidisciplinary Breast Center of the Catholic University of Rome. The groups last 3 months and have a psychodynamic background. The groups last 3 months and have a psychodynamic background. Every woman has the possibility to continue the experience in a new group, independently from the phase of the medical therapies. Every woman has the possibility to continue the experience in a new group, independently from the phase of the medical therapies. At the beginning, the pivotal theme of the groups is the illness and its consequences. In few time, every group starts to share something new. Most of the time, a new common idea appears… At the beginning, the pivotal theme of the groups is the illness and its consequences. In few time, every group starts to share something new. Most of the time, a new common idea appears… The possibility to share illness feelings and emotions seems to be able to transform the physical and mental pain into a project of life. The possibility to share illness feelings and emotions seems to be able to transform the physical and mental pain into a project of life.

From dream to reality Two years ago, women of one of these groups started to share the nostalgia of a lost dream: to play a role in a theatre performance. In few time, the dream became a reality thanks to the strenght of the women and to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Italian affiliate, who supported the program. Two years ago, women of one of these groups started to share the nostalgia of a lost dream: to play a role in a theatre performance. In few time, the dream became a reality thanks to the strenght of the women and to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Italian affiliate, who supported the program.

The theatre as therapy In the Mediterranean area, the Greek ancient theatre represented the first attempt to working through unsustainable emotions of the humankind. In the Mediterranean area, the Greek ancient theatre represented the first attempt to working through unsustainable emotions of the humankind. In the Greek tragedy, the emotions and the feelings most unknown or unconfessable were represented through a dialogue with words. In the Greek tragedy, the emotions and the feelings most unknown or unconfessable were represented through a dialogue with words. The actor was called, in the ancient theatre, “protagonist” because he was the first “agonist” as the athlete in the Olimpic Game, someone who can support and hold the agony of the fight. The actor was called, in the ancient theatre, “protagonist” because he was the first “agonist” as the athlete in the Olimpic Game, someone who can support and hold the agony of the fight. Find the “right words” to express the profound feelings that cancer can move, is a way, for the woman, to feel “protagonist” of her life. Find the “right words” to express the profound feelings that cancer can move, is a way, for the woman, to feel “protagonist” of her life.

Some different uses of theatre in therapy and rehabilitation field Theatretherapy Theatretherapy Psychodrama Psychodrama Theatre school Theatre school

Some specifications… The word “group” is crucial: it represents the continuation of the previous experience in another setting. The word “group” is crucial: it represents the continuation of the previous experience in another setting. The change from the hospital to the theatre underlines the passage from a image of passiveness of the body to a new image of expressiveness of the body. The change from the hospital to the theatre underlines the passage from a image of passiveness of the body to a new image of expressiveness of the body. Rehabilitation can mean, in this sense, not only to find again some lost ability but to re-habit the body (from re-habilitation to re-habitation). Rehabilitation can mean, in this sense, not only to find again some lost ability but to re-habit the body (from re-habilitation to re-habitation).

Theatre group program: The theatre group program includes three steps: The theatre group program includes three steps: Theatre school with teachers and director once a week (3 hours) in a theatre hall. Theatre school with teachers and director once a week (3 hours) in a theatre hall. Annual performances of known and original theatre pieces. Annual performances of known and original theatre pieces. Performance of pieces written by women themselves (not necessary by the same women). Performance of pieces written by women themselves (not necessary by the same women).

Goals of the first step: the school Learn actor’s basic instruments (expressiveness, voice, posture…). Learn actor’s basic instruments (expressiveness, voice, posture…). Improve communication of feelings and emotions through body exercises and words. Improve communication of feelings and emotions through body exercises and words. Share with others women the cancer experience in amusing and transformed way. Share with others women the cancer experience in amusing and transformed way.

Goals of the second step: the annual performance Communicate, out of the group, a social message about the illness. Communicate, out of the group, a social message about the illness. Awaken (sensitize) the audience to the breast cancer cause (specially the importance of prevention). Awaken (sensitize) the audience to the breast cancer cause (specially the importance of prevention). Find economic resources (selling tickets and advertising) to support the theatre program itself and, if possible, others breast cancer programs. Find economic resources (selling tickets and advertising) to support the theatre program itself and, if possible, others breast cancer programs.

Goals of the third step: the script written by women The women are invited to write themselves the script for the final performance. The women are invited to write themselves the script for the final performance. The women try to write a story and, once a month, to share it with a mini-group inside a “writing laboratory program” in the hospital. The women try to write a story and, once a month, to share it with a mini-group inside a “writing laboratory program” in the hospital. The laboratory encourages the women to write every kind of story, not necessary a biography or a cancer story. The laboratory encourages the women to write every kind of story, not necessary a biography or a cancer story. We think that the metaphor is sign of the transformation of the trauma and can reach every person, in every part of the world. We think that the metaphor is sign of the transformation of the trauma and can reach every person, in every part of the world.