Abstract
In Taiwanese society, death and dying remain taboo topics. However, in an aging society, they are issues every family must confront. This study uses Theatre-in-Education strategies as an intervention to explore generational differences and communication barriers in end-of-life discussions. Theatre-in-Education has traditionally been used to help school-aged children address sensitive topics through structured dialogue, and its format is well-suited to intergenerational conversations on end-of-life decisions. Positioned at the intersection of applied theatre and social enquiry, this study examines how Theatre-in-Education strategies can foster dialogue across generations on socially sensitive issues. One of the two-hour session of Theatre-in-Education workshop series served as the core activity, involving role-play, group discussion, and guided reflection. Data was collected through observation and post-workshop interviews. The workshop centred on a fictional conflict between a father and daughter over signing an Advance Care Planning document. Participants engaged in Theatre-in-Education activity called Hot Sitting to explore diverse perspectives. The activity revealed generational disparities in several aspects. However, the underlying mechanisms of communication breakdowns remain to be further examined. By creating a dramatic context, the workshop enabled participants to approach end-of-life issues at a critical distance while expressing personal tensions. This study offers preliminary insight into how Theatre-in-Education can support intergenerational dialogue and serves as a reference point for future interventions addressing socially complex topics. This study also finds that generational gaps frequently arise from divergent personal experiences and the differing priorities each generation assigns to various aspects of end-of-life decision-making.
Presenters
Yi Jung LeeStudent, MA in Institute of Creative Industries Design, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Social and Cultural Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
End-of-Life Issue, Theatre-in-Education, Intergenerational Conversation
