The primary purpose of this research was to study the use of Boal’s and interactive theatre techniques in promoting emotional health in cancer patients and survivors. A secondary purpose was to compare the foundation, description, goals, philosophy, design, techniques and results of the Ohio State University InterACT Program and the Araceli Theatre Project in the San Francisco General Hospital, which use Theatre of the Oppressed and interactive theatre techniques with cancer patients and survivors. The analysis will be based in the comparison between the two programs that used theatre as a main tool to help cancer patients-survivors.
The Araceli Theatre Project directly focused on cancer patients and their families, offering through theatre the opportunity to reach a better and positive way to see the problems that oppressed them. On the other hand, the InterACT Theatre Project is focused on introducing students to the creation of theatre for social change and addressed a variety of social justice issues.
The evaluation of the two programs showed that theatre is not only entertainment but is an alternative tool to promote the emotional health of cancer patients and survivors. The use of theatre in both programs provided an opportunity to improve quality of life for cancer patients-survivors by increasing support and understanding of cancer among family, friends are community.