Sesame Research
Early Research
Sesame has been researching the use of drama and movement as therapy since the 1970s. We have an interesting resource of papers and footage describing this work, mainly carried out by our Founder, Billy Lindkvist the KATS team which can be accessed by contacting the office.
Recent Research
More recently Sesame practitioners have undertaken PhDs and other research projects. Catherine Butler has published in the Journal of Applied Arts & Health and you can find her article 'The Song is You': How music works in Sesame therapy for clients with dementia here.
Today Sesame researchers meet in two ways:
The Sesame Resarch Google Group http://groups.google.com/group/sesame-research
This group meets virtually through an online Google group. It has thirty three members living in the UK and overseas. If you would like to become part of the Sesame Google Research Group, this is how it’s done:
- Go on to Google – You need to have a Google Account, it’s very easy, all you need is an email address and a password and there is no cost involved
- Search for Google Groups
- Then search for Sesame Research Group
- When you have found Sesame Research, ask to become a member
- Google will then email Sesame and ask Sesame to accept or decline
- You will then be informed by Google of the outcome
Research Evenings
Sesame Research evenings aim to make a comfortable space where people from new student to PhD candidates, can bring starting or refined ideas about writing or research. Running quarterly on Wednesday evenings, this group explores methodologies through which present or future work can be evaluated, and it offers participants a place to try out presenting developing work or discuss starting ideas for future writing projects.
The evening group can be accessed by Skype for international members of Sesame. It is also open to people outside the Sesame community and we have had participants come in from other disciplines. Normally between eight to ten people attend each event, flagging up the real but as yet tentative interest which research has within the Sesame community.
Next Research Evening
A Practice-based Research Enquiry into Therapeutic Presence
With Richard Hougham and Bryn Jones
The research project was concerned with the articulation and cultivation of therapeutic presence in the training of therapists. Specific to the investigation were ideas of spatial and physical presence and how actor training methods may influence/support attunement, attention and playfulness in the therapeutic encounter. Amidst increasing external regulation with defined standards of proficiency and education, the research aimed to examine the possible internal cultivation of therapeutic presence and ‘relational repertoire’ by utilising actor training methods. The researchers were particularly interested in potential resonances with other professions and the overall articulation and content of therapy training programmes. The methodology was practice-based and worked with four Sesame trained dramatherapists weekly over a seven week period. Some of the practice was filmed. The research also included interviews with dramatherapy trainers and artists interested in this field.
The researchers are currently editing a film, part of which will be shown during the Sesame Institute research evening. There will be time for questions and a discussion.
Richard Hougham is Principal Lecturer and Course Leader of the MA Drama and Movement Therapy (Sesame) programme at Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London. He is interested in the liberation and pedagogy of therapy trainings and Jungian psychology.
Bryn Jones is a Sesame trained Drama and Movement Therapist. His current practice spans work with children, teachers and parents in a mainstream primary school, adolescents on a Tier 4 CAMHS wing and mindfulness-based work with adults in a psychiatric setting. Bryn has recently directed two intimate/immersive performance pieces for Arcola Theatre and Punchdrunk.
The evening will be chaired by Mary Smail.
WHEN: 29th May 2013, 6.30-9.00pm
WHERE: Vaughan Room, Sesame Institute, Christchurch
ADMISSION: £10 for Sesame Member and £15 for Non Sesame Members
(Please note: places must be booked in advance through Sesame office by Wed 22nd May 2013).
For a booking form, please contact the Sesame Institute office.
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Excerpts from past research
Click the title to take you to excerpts from research in the Sesame archives:
We hope to increase the research available on the website over time.
Excerpts from recent research
Click the title to take you to summaries of recent PhD work and other research.
N.B.
Sesame Members can access more research from the Sesame Archives on the Members pages of the website.