How did a group of higher education applied theatre placement students learn to connect with patients living with dementia, in an acute hospital setting, during a global pandemic? How did they navigate the liminal spaces of inhabiting a virtual space while striving for real-life presence and an equality of learning and knowledge exchange?

In this book, authors and project leaders Dr Nicola Abraham PhD and Ma. Victoria Ruddock BSN present narratives and anecdotal examples of how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the learning of these placement students and how they adapted the learning expectations of the project in order to account for the liminality of combining virtual and in-person space inhabitation.

Through stories and reflections from the project the authors explore the meaning of a pedagogy of reciprocity and ways of navigating uncertainty. They discuss the essential need for horizontal team structures to enhance learning experiences and consider the uses of transmedia communication tools.

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Notes on contributors
• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Learning objectives
• Introduction
  • Digital applied theatre
  • Sharing stories
  • Vic’s story
  • Nicky’s story
  • What will your story be?
• 1 Acute ambitions to be yourself (I)
  • Considering who we are and why we are
  • Virtual practice
  • Transmedia
    • Transmedia as a preparatory tool
    • Transmedia in sessions
  • Examples and reflection
    • Case study #1 Jacob’s story
      • Context
      • Engagement
      • Sharing back
      • Our perspective on the case study
    • Case study #2 Stan’s story
      • Context
      • Engagement
      • Sharing back
      • Our perspective on the case study
  • Summary of learning from Chapter 1
  • Assignment suggestion: Transmedia facilitation and creative practice
• 2 Playful ageing (you)
  • Playing
  • Horizontal team structure
    • Play
    • Adaptability and spontaneity
    • Collaboration
    • No judgement
    • Respect autonomy
  • Examples and reflection
    • Case study #1 Adora’s story
      • Context
      • Engagement
      • Sharing back
      • Our perspective on the case study
    • Case study #2 Lorna’s story
      • Context
      • Engagement
      • Our perspective on the case study
  • Summary of learning from Chapter 2
  • Assignment suggestion: Horizonal teamwork task
• 3 Reciprocity and uncertainty (we)
  • Uncertainty in practice
  • Non-linear planning
    • Non-linear planning: Introduction
    • Following the flow of the session
  • Scaffolding and the zone of proximal development
    • Scaffolding in non-linear planning
    • Zone of proximal development
  • Does SMART work in non-linear planning?
    • Why doesn’t SMART work for hospital contexts?
    • Replacing SMART with FAIR
  • Pedagogy of reciprocity
  • Examples and reflection
    • Case study #1 Margaret’s story
      • Context
      • Engagement
      • Sharing back
      • Our perspective on the case study
    • Case study #2 Dev’s story
      • Context
      • Engagement
      • Sharing back
      • Our perspective on the case study
  • Summary of learning from Chapter 3
  • Assignment suggestion: Reciprocity and improvisation
  • Assignment suggestion: Responding to uncertainty
• Conclusion
  • The fundamentals: Key points
    • Find ways to work safely and supportively with your team
    • Person-centred practice
    • Inclusive communication is vital to ensure you are meeting the access needs of your patients
    • Be responsive, spontaneous and creative in your practice
  • Summary thoughts
• References
• Recommended further reading
• Glossary
• Index

Nicola Abraham PhD is an Applied Theatre practitioner and academic. Most recently, she is a lecturer at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London. While seconded to the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, she co-designed a Student Knowledge Exchange set of projects alongside clinical staff from the Dementia Care Team at Imperial.

Ma. Victoria Ruddock BSN is a Healthcare Assistant in the Dementia Care Team at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. She is the project co-lead who has co-hosted the Student Knowledge Exchange project with Nicola.