Table of Contents

Preface. A journeyer to the spiritual mount. 1. The Origins of Role. Hamlet's soliloquy and the paradox of drama; Role ambivalence; The origins of role in drama/theatre; The origin of role in the social sciences; The origin of role in art and literature; From role metaphor to role concept. 2. The Development of Role. The human being as role recipient; The human being as role-taker; The human being as role-player; The role system. 3. The Drama Therapy Role Method. The invocation of the role; The naming of the role; The playing out/working through of the role; Exploring alternative qualities in sub-role; Reflecting upon role-play: discovering role qualities, functions and styles inherent in the role; Relating the fictional role to everyday life; Integrating roles to create a functional role system; Social modeling. 4. The Case of Michael. The treatment: Beginnings; The three bears; The Lawyer; Black rage; The boy who learned to burn; Fathers and sons; The judge and the raincoat; The mask of the actor; The critic; The blind girl; An integration. 5. The Case of Michael Part II. The kiss; The wooden clogs and the rubber boots; The marriage proposal; The glass heart; Bugs; More glass; Me vida abajo (My life down there); The confused searcher; The beat of black wings; My father's body; Mickey and Jake: you dream at your own risk; Victor/victim; The ring; Postscript. 6. The Case of Hansel and Gretel: An Example of a Drama Therapy Group. Implications of the role method for diagnosis; Evaluation. 7. Role in Everyday Life. Role type and archetype; Somatic roles; Cognitive roles; Affective roles; Social/cultural roles; Spiritual roles; Aesthetic roles. 8. A Taxonomy of Roles: Building a Theatrical Archetype System. The form of the taxonomy: The taxonomy of roles. 9. The Taxonomy: Cognitive and Affective Domains. Domain: cognitive; Domain: affective. 10. The Taxonomy: Social Domain Domain: social. 11. The Taxonomy: Spiritual and Aesthetic Domains. Domain: spiritual; Domain: aesthetic; The use and significance of the taxonomy. 12. Conclusion. References. Appendix.

About the Author

Robert J Landy is Professor of Drama Therapy and Educational Theatre at New York University.

Reviews

Landy's insights and methods are, I am sure, of particular interest to drama therapists but there is undoubtedly scope for the rest of us to use them as an addition to our repertoire of tools as counsellors.
*Counselling*

Landy's lucidly-written book explores the idea that emotional well-being depends on our ability to manage complex and contradictory roles. Aimed particularly at mental health workers, it develops its theory from an extended single case study and a group case study.
*Theatre*

Landy writes clearly although the topic is sometimes complex. The reader is carried along by his understanding of and enthusiasm for his subject... the book has much to offer the psychodramatist. The theory it contains, and his eight stage method of treatment can be utilised.
*British Psychodrama Association*

This is a courageous book which moves forward the theoretical debate in dramatherapy and serves as a model of detailed research for future practitioners.
*Sue Jennings*

This book offers a very human and readable account of a new approach to the uses of role and roleplay in therapy. It will widen the understanding of roleplay as used in family therapy, playtherapy, social groupwork and dramatherapy. A book to be read and thought about for a long time.
*Alida Gersie*

This book is welcome as a major contribution to the field.
*Changes*