Losing It: Staging the Cultural Conundrum of Dementia and Decline in American Theatre

This monograph explores American stage representations of dementia from 1913 to 2019, examining playtexts, audiences, and medical science. It highlights eleven dementia plays and raises ethical questions about responsiveness, interpretation, responsibility, and care.

Format: Hardback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 10 August 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This comprehensive monograph delves into a thorough examination of American stage representations of dementia, spanning from 1913 to 2019. Its intricate threads intertwine playtexts, audiences as both the intended recipients of these productions and as anticipated factors influencing their legibility, and medical science, encompassing both its known aspects to researchers and its more widely recognized knowledge among educated general audiences. With the Baby Boom generation now firmly entrenched in the "Senior" category, there has been a growing interest in plays that explore the personal and societal challenges associated with cognitive decline, recognizing it as a potentially daunting and costly experience, with no two iterations being identical. This study specifically focuses on eleven dementia plays that have been produced in the United States over the past century, aiming to "open up" and maintain a dialogue on central ethical questions related to responsiveness, interpretation, responsibility, complicity, and care, as articulated by medical humanities scholar Anne Whitehead.

The study begins by providing a historical backdrop, tracing the evolution of dementia representations on stage in the United States. It explores the early theatrical depictions of dementia, which often portrayed it as a supernatural or moralistic phenomenon, and the subsequent shift towards more realistic and humanizing portrayals. The monograph also examines the societal and cultural factors that have influenced the portrayal of dementia, including the rise of the Baby Boomer generation, the increasing prevalence of dementia, and the changing attitudes towards aging and healthcare.

Within the examination of these eleven dementia plays, the monograph explores the ethical dilemmas and challenges that they present. It examines the ways in which these plays address issues such as empathy, responsibility, and the complexities of caregiving. The study also considers the impact of these plays on audiences, both in terms of their emotional response and their broader understanding of dementia.

One of the key findings of the study is the importance of representation in shaping public perception and understanding of dementia. The plays examined in this monograph offer diverse perspectives on dementia, highlighting its various manifestations and the experiences of individuals living with it. By presenting these diverse narratives, the plays contribute to a broader understanding of dementia and its impact on individuals and society.

Furthermore, the study highlights the ethical implications of representing dementia on stage. It examines the potential for exploitation, sensationalism, or stigmatization of individuals with dementia. The authors argue that it is essential for theater practitioners to approach these representations with sensitivity, respect, and accuracy, ensuring that they do not perpetuate harmful stereotypes or perpetuate negative attitudes towards individuals with dementia.

The monograph also explores the role of medical science in shaping the portrayal of dementia on stage. It examines the ways in which medical knowledge and research have influenced the development of dementia narratives and the ways in which these narratives have been translated into theatrical productions. The study also considers the potential benefits and challenges of using medical knowledge in theater, including the potential for oversimplification or misinformation.

In conclusion, this monograph offers a comprehensive and insightful examination of American stage representations of dementia. It provides a valuable contribution to the field of medical humanities, exploring the intersection of theater, audience, and medical knowledge. By examining the ethical dilemmas and challenges presented by dementia plays, the study contributes to a broader understanding of dementia and its impact on individuals and society. The authors argue that theater has the potential to be a powerful tool for raising awareness, promoting empathy, and fostering dialogue around dementia, and they call for more research and collaboration in this area.

Weight: 570g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031209017
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023