From the Editor
I recently read a 2011 article, 7 Reasons Why Theatre Makes Our Lives Better, by Howard Shalwitz. The ethos of the article was particularly inspirational for me as one of my meaningful occupations is going to live theatre; whether it is to experience a play or musical at New York City’s Broadway theatres, Massachusetts repertory theatres, local community theatres or a show in any city when traveling. My love of theatre started as a child when my parents took me to my first play, The Subject was Roses. It was such an enriching experience that I continue to go to the theatre typically once or twice a month. Keeping with tradition, I introduced going to the theatre with my three children and now with my four grandchildren.
Shalwitz shared the following seven reasons why theater makes our live better:
1. Theatre does no harm.
2. Theatre is a sophisticated expression of a basic human need – one might call it an instinct – to mimic, to project stories onto ourselves and others, and to create meaning through narrative and metaphor.
3. Theatre brings people together.
4. Theatre models for us a kind of public discourse that lies at the heart of democratic life, and builds our skills for listening to different sides of a conversation or argument, and empathizing with the struggles of our fellow human beings whatever their views may be.
5. Both the making of theatre and attending of theatre contribute to education and literacy. Watching the characters talk back and forth in the theatre is tricky; it requires sharp attention, quick mental shifts, and nimble language skills.
6. Theatre as an industry contributes to our economy and plays a special role in the revitalization of neglected neighborhoods.
7. Theatre influences the way we think and feel about our own lives and encourages us to take a hard look at ourselves, our values, and our behavior.” (Retrieved on 12/14/16 at http://theatrewashington.org/content/7-reasons-why-theatre-makes-our-lives-better&favtitle=7%20Reasons%20Why%20Theatre%20Makes%20Our%20Lives%20Better).
As I read Shalwitz’s seven ways that theatre matters, it was apparent that similar features might be considered by reading the 17 articles published in this issue of WORK. Reading articles does no harm, can bring people together in a collegial collaborative manner, the double-blind peer review process is a democratic discourse; and reading articles contributes to one’s education and may influence how we think and feel about our own lives.
In 2016, we successfully launched the complimentary Learn at WORK webinars. Each of these webinars provided a presentation by and conversation with authors whose evidence-based research articles were published in WORK.
Based on the positive feedback we have received about the webinars, we have scheduled ten for 2017. Here is the list and registration information for these Learn at WORK webinars. I hope you will register for these complimentary learning experiences and subscribe to the Learn at WORK YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOJalCXvSg9fPHaFFs48PuQ.
Thursday, January, 26 2017 1-2pmEST
Presenter: Dr. Valerie Rice
Title: Personal Resilience and Coping Among U.S. Military and Veterans: Implications for Work
Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1850231058721865987
Thursday, February 23 1-2pmEST
Presenters: Dr. Lynn Shaw, Bill Chedore, Lynn Cooper, & Mikelle Bryson Campbell
Title: Working and living with persistent pain
Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6063588203662327043
Wednesday, March 22, 2017 1-2pmEST
Presenter: Dr. Katarzyna Stankiewicz
Topic: Work-Life Balance: Does the Age Matter?
Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8396779365593836291
Thursday, April 20, 2017 1-2pmEST
Presenters: Dr. Peter Vink, Dr. Conne Mara Bazley & Dr. Suzanne Hiemstra-van Mastrigt
Topic: Space, Time, Design: Don’t forget time in environmental design
Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5499009873520613379
Wednesday, May 10 at 1-2pmEST
Presenters: Stephanie Lagosky, Dr. Doreen Bartlett & Dr. Lynn Shaw
Title: Invisible work of using and monitoring knowledge by parents (end-users) of children with chronic conditions
Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4127763842544756227
Tuesday, June 20 at 1-2pmEST
Presenter: Dr. Jessica Leibler E-mail:
Title: Prevalence of serious psychological distress among slaughterhouse workers at a United States beef packing plant
Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/246576856937617923
July 25, 2017 1-2pmEST
Presenter: Dr. Shira Yalon-Chamovitz & Mr. Yoav Kraiem
Title: Deconstructing hierarchies – Service users as co-teachers in occupational therapy education
Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/934809563274447875
September 12, 2017 1-2pmEST
Presenter: Patricia Pihl
Title: Social capital and workplace bullying
Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5624536718069768707
October 19, 2017 1-2pmEST
Presenter: Dr. Julie Dorsey
Title: Re-evaluation of a LEED Platinum Building: Occupant experiences of health and comfort
Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8452443241262777347
Wednesday, November 15 1-2pmEST
Presenters: The Project Career team composed of: Dr. Phillip Rumrill, Dr. Deborah J. Hendricks, Eileen Elias, Dr. Karen Jacobs, Anne Leopold, Amanda Nardone, Elaine Sampson, Deborah Minton & Dr. Marcia Scherer
Title: Perceived benefit of iPad apps among college students with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3415532095909897988
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 1-2pmEST
Presenter: Dr. Bex (Rebecca) Twinley
Title: Woman-to-woman rape and sexual assault, and its impact upon the occupation of work: victim/survivors’ life roles of worker or student as disruptive and preservative
Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3199989333958415107
As always, I welcome hearing from you.
Cheers,
Karen
