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Part Two of the Series
Diane Howard, Ph.D. continues to expand our understanding of the processes and instructional value of autobiographical Writing & Performing. In Part One, Dr. Howard shared with us an introduction to autobiographical performance. In this publication we include her explanation of how reading or viewing an autobiographical story can have a positive role model effect, and how it may influence achievement motivation in readers and audiences.
Dr. Howard's Performance Studies students at Mary Hardin-Baylor University research, write, produce, and perform solo productions of great historic or contemporary characters, which can be presented on platforms or on stages for businesses, civic organizations, theaters, schools, libraries, museums, and/or churches.
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 An Example
To demonstrate the impact that autobiographical performance can have Dr. Howard's students have agreed to allow us to publish segments from their performances. Jack Bland visited our webcasting studios at the Apple Learning Interchange in July, 2001 when we recorded the video segment available to you from the View section of this page. Jack plays several roles: first as a carnival barker, then as Joseph Merrick a brilliant and now famous deformed individual who lived in the late 1800s. Finally, Jack plays Sir Frederick Treves, who found sanctuary for Merrick in a hospital. Be sure to visit the resource pages listed above to learn more about his life. Also visit Part One of this series on autobiographical performance if you have not already.
Application in the Classroom
Following the viewing of the videostreamed performances of Joseph Merrick and Dr. Treves, teachers could encourage a follow-up discussion by asking the viewers questions such as the following:
- Since Joseph traveled in a side show and was referred to as a freak, how did he develop a gentle, positive, gracious, and dignified spirit in Dr. Treve's hospital?
- How did Dr. Treves influence Joseph?
- How was he a role model to Joseph?
- What does it mean to be a role model?
- Did Joseph allow himself to be controlled by his deformed body?
- How did he display internal motivation?
- How would you describe his attitudes, values, and/or spirit?
- How was he a role model? What lessons can we learn from his life?
Students could be further encouraged to research and study the life of Joseph Merrick.They could be challenged to find examples of other role models who were physically challenged.
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