Grandparenting the absent Grandchildren

Title
Grandparenting the absent Grandchildren
Publication Date
2014
Author(s)
Sims, Margaret
( creator )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4686-4245
Email: msims7@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:msims7
Noone, Genevieve
( creator )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9663-2675
Email: gnoone2@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:gnoone2
Ellis, Elizabeth M
( creator )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7936-7651
Email: eellis4@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:eellis4
Type of document
Live Performance Of Creative Works - Play
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Margaret Sims, Genevieve Noone and Elizabeth Ellis
Place of publication
Mt Gravatt, Australia
UNE publication id
une:18489
Abstract
When grandparents have little or no contact with their grandchildren because of family conflict or separation, emotions run high. The ethnodramatic script for Grandparenting the absent grandchildren is based on interviews with 33 grandmothers and 17 grandfathers. The ethics of representation required that the script accurately portray the experiences of the research participants by staying close to their words as recorded in the interview transcripts. To do this and also create "good theatre" required creative and innovative use of the elements of theatre. Words, movement, costumes and props create a theatrical experience highlighting the emotional trauma and legal issues involved. Audience reactions (interjections, tears, bodily discomfort) suggest that the performance captures experiences, engages people emotionally, and confronts understandings of this current social issue. Ethnotheatre permits the powerful presentation of research, focusing on its emotional and personal nature to create an impact and facilitate social change.
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