Benefits of dance, movement, theatre, and emotional expression on well-being

The Théâtre du Nouveau Monde in Montreal (TNM) and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens (GBC) regularly conduct cultural mediation workshops in collaboration with Autisme sans limites for a population of young adults with autism spectrum disorder, as part of a program entitled “L’Art dans tous ses états! Danse et théâtre”. This program aims to promote the benefits of dance and movement, theatre, and emotional expression as means of prevention and well-being, as well as the practice of adapted physical and leisure activities that contribute to good physical and mental health.

TNM and GBC wished to qualitatively and quantitatively assess, in an objective and scientifically grounded manner, the effects (that is, the potential benefits) of the program’s workshops.

This is where the work of the Arts and Health Axis team came into play. As a unit that evaluates the effects of the arts on the mental and physical health of populations, it brought together all the necessary skills and expertise to respond to the request from TNM and GBC and to carry out an initial analysis (pilot phase) paving the way for a formal evaluation of the full cycle of cultural mediation workshops. The axis therefore observed the workshop cycle based on Molière’s play “Le Misanthrope” in order to define the criteria required to assess the effects of this type of workshop. It filmed several workshops (4 out of the 8 in the cycle) and conducted interviews with practitioners in order to:
– carry out an analysis to (1) better understand what happens during the workshops, (2) determine the feasibility of a quantitative study, and (3) identify potential outcome markers;
– produce a documentary film with promotional and awareness-raising aims highlighting the initiatives of TNM and GBC.