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Detroit 1967 Riot, Applied Theatre and Older Adults

Abstract The purpose of this applied theatre essay was to observe effects and impacts on older adults engaging in theatre activities and storytelling surrounding the horrors of Detroit’s 1967 Riots. Classes were held at the Hannan Center, an organization designed to serve the older adult community offering a variety of services in the city of Detroit. The group of older adults attended weekly theatre classes, meeting for 1½ hr on Thursday mornings. The observational was conducted for 4 weeks. Using observational research methods, data were collected and analyzed. The essay summarizes the background of the Teaching Artist experience, group reflections, written reflection, group, video recordings, and individual interviews on the Detroit ‘67 Riot Theatre Project. The essay describes the author’s observation with older adults using applied theatre methods and techniques that brought their personal stories of the tragic historical events during the summer of 1967 in Detroit, to creating a community performance. Data collected from student reflections reveal the power of theatre and how they were empowered from having an opportunity, and a platform that allowed their voices to be heard from page to stage.