This book, by one of the world's leading dramatherapists, demonstrates how the concept of role connects the areas of dramatherapy, theatre and everyday life, and provides a detailed model for a role-based form of therapy. Based on a central assumption that well-being depends on the individual's capacity to manage a complex and often contradictory set of roles, it: examines the origins and development of the role metaphor plays both in drama and the social sciences; discusses how role can be used as a form of therapy, using detailed clinical case studies both of an individual and a group; and provides a comprehensive taxonomy of theatrical roles drawn from repeated types throughout the history of Western dramatic literature, arguing that an understanding of these will enhance an understanding of the dramatic nature of healing through role. With references drawn from art and the social sciences, theatre, popular culture and personal experience, "Persona and Performance" should of useful to all people interested in the use of drama and theatre as therapy.

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.