Performance as art-based research in drama therapy supervision

In this article, the authors discuss the use of art-based research, specifically performance ethnographic and autoethnographic processes, within clinical supervision of drama therapists. Performance ethnography will be discussed as it is utilized for case conceptualization, treatment planning and supervision of clinical treatment. Core, overlapping concepts from performance ethnography and drama therapeutic theory, such as verbatim dialogue and metaphor, validation and mutuality, embodiment and faithful rendering, will be discussed and demonstrated through case examples. The article concludes with a vision of the art-based researcher/supervisor as not only a participant-observer, but also a performer, one who is perpetually challenged by playing multiple roles.