Cheryl McLean has presented keynote presentations in Canada and the U.S. which feature the creative arts in interdisciplinary practice and applications of story in research and action for hope and change. Her current presentation "Living Stories of Hope and Change" has been well received by academic audiences and diverse organizations across disciplines.
She trained as an actor in projects for two years (Stanislavsky, realism) under the mentorship of Dr. Muriel Gold, formerly the Artistic Director of The Saidye Bronfman Theatre, Montreal. In research and therapeutic work with older persons (a number who were Holocaust survivors) Cheryl McLean used drama and creative arts methodologies in research and practice to help individuals express their stories and lived experiences. This research, based on true stories, became the basis for a thesis performance/ethnodrama called “Remember Me for Birds” about aging, mental health and autonomy. The work was presented as keynote performances in 2005 for The Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work Educators National Conference (CASSWE),Congress of the Humanities, University of Western Ontario, 2005; Celebrating Gerontology, Interdisciplinary Programs in Gerontology, Centre for Education and Research in Aging and Health (CERAH), Lakehead University, McGill Interdisciplinary Geriatric Seminar, McGill Medical School and NADT, National Association of Drama Therapy, Rhode Island and was produced as an educational film in 2007.
Living Stories of Hope and Change
The presentation “Living Stories of Hope and Change” (l hr. 15) is delivered in a narrative style and is a collection of “tellings” made up of illustrative and linked stories that draw on personal experiences as well as true stories of creative arts in research and action for change. The talk also features other dramatic examples of story used in research and practice by artists, researchers and professionals across disciplines featuring topical research examples drawn from the recently released research text, “Creative Arts in Interdisciplinary Practice, Inquiries for Hope and Change” (released August 2010) and upcoming
text, Creative Arts in Research for Community and Cultural Change.” (upcoming December 2010) both edited by Cheryl McLean, Associate Editor Dr. Robert Kelly,( publisher Detselig Temeron Press.) In sharing these authentic accounts and narratives through story, narrative, performed monologues, readings and original film and poetry, Cheryl McLean demonstrates compellingly how the creative arts in contemporary research and action across disciplines can lead to hope and change.
Currently booking engagements through 2010 and 2011-2012.
Information: CherylMcLean@ijcaip.com
