An Alliance of Art and Science

Helping homeless veterans, at risk youth, the mentally ill and senior citizens.

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The Power of Theatre

Using the unique power of theatre to provide life changing artistic opportunties.

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A Vision for the Future

Help us to expand all over the world.

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Imaginative Play with Joy, Fun, and Humor

Trained theatre artists and patients work together to build self-esteem.

Self-Expression

Feel free to express yourself in a safe enviroment.

Creative Thinking

Participants write their own story lines and perform on stage.

Interpersonal Communication Skills

Build your communication skills and help others to communicate their thoughts in a postive way.

About Imagination Workshop

Imagination Workshop, located at the Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, is a world-renowned dramatic arts program in which veterans, psychiatric patients, at-risk youth and other disenfranchised individuals engage in a series of workshops culminating in writing, directing and acting in plays under the guidance of specially trained theatre artists with the result of experiencing positive, lasting behavioral changes.

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Our Research

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Theatre

IW’s unique and effective use of theater and poetry to reach those long considered beyond the hope of traditional treatment has produced striking and encouraging results. Research conducted by the Semel Institute indicated that those patients who participated in IW (as opposed to traditional role-playing exercises) showed a “significantly greater” change. between pre- and post-test Global Assessments, with a higher improvement score.

Writing

In a recent study, Dr. Lynn Fairbanks demonstrated that patients who participated in the Imagination Workshop treatment had an average improvement of 38% in their social, occupational and psychological functioning, while patients in the traditional role play groups had a 22% improvement. (see figure to the left)

Therapeutic Benefits

Dr. Fairbanks concluded that Imagination Workshop is "a valuable program with demonstrated therapeutic benefits for patients with serious psychiatric disorders."

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