Using therapeutic drama and performance, Treehouse Theatre projects are trauma recovery and resilience building programs targeting refugee students from 2 Western Sydney high schools. Students are recent Humanitarian entrants from Iraq, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Liberia, Congo, Sudan and South Sudan. Almost all are in the early stages of learning English. Therapeutic drama projects include the “Tree of Life Project”, based on the model developed by Ncube (2006) and the “Suitcase Project” based on the model developed by Clacherty (2006).
Both programs are designed to meet the trauma recovery goals outlined by Herman (1997) regarding the restoration of safety, attachment, purpose and dignity. The therapeutic drama process is developed from Narrative Therapy models of therapeutic practice and is supported by Outsider Witness practices described by Carey and Russell (2003). Therapeutic Research in Narrative Exposure Therapy (Schauer et al, 2005) also provides therapeutic underpinning of Treehouse projects with the notion that repeated exposure to traumatic events, though controlled story telling, and in the case of Treehouse programs, repeated rehearsal and performance, leads to reduced symptoms of anxiety, fear and feelings of social exclusion.
Performance in professional theatres also helps to educate high school student audiences about refugee issues so that the schools and the Australian community can be more accepting and welcoming of refugees.
Formal evaluation of Treehouse programs is still in the preliminary stages. However, participant responses to counsellor developed cast surveys at the completion of every project are overwhelmingly positive. Qualitative responses collected from audiences and teachers are similarly positive. This presentation will present all current interview and survey data.
KEY WORDS: “TREE OF LIFE PROJECT”, “SUITCASE PROJECT”, DRAMATHERAPY, NARRATIVE THERAPY, TRAUMA, REFUGEES, AND NARRATIVE EXPOSURE THERAPY
