Music Therapy and Theatre: A Community Music Therapy Socio-Cultural Proposal for the Inclusion of Persons With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Authors

  • André Brandalise Temple University, USA and Centro Gaúcho de Musicoterapia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v1i1.733

Keywords:

autism spectrum disorders, community music therapy, theatre

Abstract

This article describes a meaningful therapeutic connection between music therapy and therapeutic theatre that has been done in Brazil. Through describing the relationship between these two fields, it aims to discuss another possibility of intervention in music therapy in the treatment of people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Theatre performance can expand therapeutic action physically and subjectively beyond the music therapy room, helping clients expand their creative world and possibilities for social interactions. This practice cannot be characterized as psychodrama or drama therapy but rather the use of a specific music therapy process utilizing the theatre as a resource. In the case described, this resource incorporates and applied creative and therapeutic power to the treatment of a group comprised by eight young adults, most of whom have been diagnosed with ASD. The creation and performance of many musical plays have resulted collective creation and movement related to this group’s psychological, social and cultural needs. The proposal presented is based on a community music therapy perspective.

Author Biography

André Brandalise, Temple University, USA and Centro Gaúcho de Musicoterapia

André Brandalise received his bachelor of music from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS, Brazil) majoring in classical guitar. He received his specialization in music therapy from Conservatório Brasileiro de Música (CBM-RJ, Brazil). He later went on to complete a Master of Arts degree in Music Therapy from New York University and is currently completing a Ph.D. in Music Therapy from Temple University. He has been a practicing music therapist and clinical supervisor for nearly twenty years and is the founder and owner of the Centro Gaúcho de Musicoterapia (CGM-ICD) in Porto Alegre, Brazil, since 1998. In 2003 he organized and chaired the first Brazilian Conference on Music-Centered Music Therapy and co-chaired the second Brazilian Conference on Music-Centered Music therapy in 2003. Brandalise has taught in several music therapy training programs at various Universities in Brazil and co-founded AGAMUSI (Associação Gaúcha de Musicoterapia) in which he was elected President from 1999 until 2003. In addition, he has authored two books: “Musicoterapia Músico-centrada” (Music-Centered Music Therapy, 2001) and “I Jornada Brasileira sobre Musicoterapia Músico-centrada” (1st Brazilian Conference on Music-Centered Music Therapy, 2003) and has published several articles. Brandalise has presented his work throughout South America, Europe and the United States. Brandalise is an award winning composer and arranger and has performed his works throughout Brazil.

Downloads

Published

2015-02-13

How to Cite

Brandalise, A. (2015). Music Therapy and Theatre: A Community Music Therapy Socio-Cultural Proposal for the Inclusion of Persons With Autism Spectrum Disorders. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v1i1.733

Issue

Section

Reflections on Practice