Creative Methodologies in Tobacco and Health Behaviour: Photography & Theatre

Time sensitive
Event: March 12, 2008
RSVP: Marhc 8, 2008

Do you like the theatre? How about photography? Want to know how these creative pursuits are being used in tobacco and health research? To find out, join us for a free public lecture and exhibit.

Creative Methodologies in Tobacco and Health Behaviour Research: Using Photography & Theatre to Foster Deeper Understandings

Health behaviour research aims to understand individual health behaviour and develop practices and policies to better support people in making positive health choices. Capturing the voices of research participants is thus a crucial aspect of health research. In addition, to communicate research in a meaningful way it is essential to engage with individuals involved in making those
choices about their health. Individual motivation and the other social and structural influences can be revealed in many different ways.

Creative methodologies - such as participant photography (photovoice) and participatory theatre (forum theatre) - allow researchers to be more inclusive of participant "voices" to explore and translate knowledge about certain health behaviours.

• Hear what researchers and participants have to say about these methodologies
• View the images created by participants about their smoking experience
• Participate in a mini-forum theatre production

Tobacco use is a particularly sensitive and personal topic which requires creative approaches to foster deeper understandings. This panel discussion, photo exhibit & screening will explore the challenges and benefits of using photovoice and forum theatre in three research projects: "Smoke, In My Eyes," "Families Controlling & Eliminating Tobacco" (FACET 2), and "Cultivating Awareness of the Context of Tobacco Use (CACTUS).

Date: Wednesday, March 12th
Time: 5:00 to 7:00 PM
Location: UBC Robson Square 800 Robson Street Vancouver, B.C.
For directions: http://www.robsonsquare.ubc.ca/
RSVP by March 8th: nexus@ubc.ca

For more information contact Ariadna
E-mail: nexus@nursing.ubc.ca
Phone: 604-822-7933
W: http://nexus.ubc.ca/

Seeking participants for theatre project: tobacco use & mental health

Time sensitive

PROJECT PARTICIPANTS NEEDED!
Are you someone who is living with a mental illness, has experienced a mental health issue, or is a mental health service provider?

Are you a smoker, ex-smoker, or non-smoker who is interested in exploring issues of tobacco use within the mental health community?

Are you comfortable speaking in front of others and intrigued by the idea of using theatre to create positive change?

The Canadian Cancer Society, in partnership with the CACTUS Project and Vancouver Coastal Health, is looking for participants for a FORUM THEATRE PROJECT aimed at creating dialogue about tobacco use within the mental health community. Forum Theatre is an interactive, solution-oriented type of theatre that asks the audience to share their ideas and perspectives.

Project participants will contribute to the creation of a Forum Theatre production to be presented to the mental health community.

No acting experience required. Training & on-going support will be provided. Honourarium available.

An INFORMATION SESSION regarding the project will take place on Monday, October 15th from 3:00-4:30 at the Canadian Cancer Society at 510 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver.
Attendance at the information session is not required to apply to participate in the project.

To RSVP to the information session or to receive an information package and application form, please contact Jamie Myrah at 604.215.5468.

Please note that all participants will be asked to commit to a series of important dates, including:
** Training by Headlines Theatre: November 01st & 02nd (10:00-4:00)
** Six weekly rehearsals: Tuesdays from 3:00-5:00 (starting November 13th with a break during the holiday season)
** Five community presentations: January/February 2008 - dates & times to be confirmed