Enhancing social connections through an acting and improvisation course for older Americans in low-income housing.

Background: Older adults living in subsidized housing may be at increased risk of social isolation. Applied theater, a participatory art program, can facilitate social connections among older adults.

Methods: A professionally-facilitated 12-week acting and improvisation course was held in two federally subsidized buildings in an urban setting. The mixed-method design included thematic analysis of interviews, participant observation, field notes, and statistical analysis of change over time in social isolation, community belonging, and social exclusion.

Results: Participants were motivated to meet other building residents, and the course included aspects that encouraged social bonding.

Conclusions: Although recruitment of socially-isolated older adults presented challenges, this study presents lessons on what motivates residents of low-income senior housing to enroll in an acting program and how to design a theater course in this setting that promotes group bonding.