# Formative Evaluation of Post-Opera Live Discussion of the Center Cannot Hold Part 2 and Resilience Workshop

## TL;DR

This study explores how an opera about schizophrenia and a resilience workshop affect audience and cast understanding of mental health.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel formative evaluation of live art events and workshops on mental health awareness and recovery in schizophrenia.

## Key findings

- Participants connected with the story and identified normal lifestyles with mental illness.
- The event increased awareness and refocused care goals for providers and audiences.
- Live art events with pre-workshops enhance understanding and connection to mental health issues.

## Abstract

There are few studies of impacts of arts on recovery in schizophrenia, on audience and cast responses. We developed a formative qualitative evaluation of audience and cast discussions after viewing live performances in a university setting of an opera based on Elyn Saks’ journey from psychosis, teaching law and falling in love, coupled with pre-opera workshop on community approaches to resilience. Live discussions were conducted with audience, cast members, and workshop presenters after performance of the opera, with recording and transcription, and reflexive thematic qualitative analysis sequentially conducted by 3 investigators/2 event leaders). Across 3 events, there were 81 comments (65’10” total time) from facilitator, audience members, cast and creators. Key themes across participant groups were: (1) Connecting with the story; (2) Identifying “normal” lifestyles with mental illness; (3) Refocusing goals of care for providers; (4) Increasing awareness around mental health; with an overarching theme the value of art on mental health to highlight awareness of these issues. Live art events (opera with pre-workshop) on mental health with author with lived experience present, were noted by audience and cast as enhancing connection, enhancing understanding of mental illness and clarifying goals for care, through the shared experience of art. This may inform future research and art events on mental health.