ABSTRACT
This chapter describes a theatre intervention that uses professional acting instruction to lower risk factors for Alzheimre's disease and other forms of dementia. A common assumption is that an acting programme would emphasise script memorisation, but our programme specifically directs participants to avoid intentional memorisation and to concentrate on understanding the scripted events in depth. To supply evidence of effectiveness, the experimental group receives four-week acting class, one of the control groups receives an alternate course of instruction (e.g., visual or performing arts) and the second control group continues with their usual daily activities (no-treatment condition). The main experimental group (theatre) was given a beginning acting course, with each session emphasising genuine involvement in the dramatic situation. Acting is generally fulfilling and enjoyable, thus encouraging future involvement; in fact, in all our studies, the attrition rate for the theatre groups was, more often than not, zero, compared to fairly frequent dropouts in the control groups.
