Theater with adolescents at social risk: health promotion practices in an occupational therapy context

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the usage of the artistic language of theateras a health promotion tool for adolescents at social risk, in an occupational therapy context. Thisprocess was carried out through the GESTTO group (Socio-theatrical expressions in OccupationalTherapy), which was made up of teenaged residents from a community in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará.The investigation method used a qualitative and research-action approach based on the writings ofLiberman, Barros, Boal and Moreno. The analysis results highlighted that the occupational therapygroup allowed the adolescent to perceive himself/herself as a being in society, with a role to play,and with the potential to create and become an agent for transformation. Therefore, the functionalityof theater as an occupational therapy resource is addressed.