Changes in understandings and perceptions of individuals, significant others and community supporters involved in a theatre company for adults with intellectual disabilities.

BACKGROUND: Theatre companies to show positive capabilities and identities of people with intellectual disabilities have been established. Existing research focuses upon sole theatre performances and rarely includes the impacts on those in the immediate and wider contexts of people with intellectual disabilities.

METHODS: The impacts of a theatre company on understandings and perceptions of intellectual disabilities from multiple perspectives were explored. Interviews with members with intellectual disabilities (n = 14), and focus groups with significant people in their lives (n = 11) and community supporters (n = 10) were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS: Four superordinate and nine subordinate themes were identified. The theatre company increased members' connectivity, allowed them to experience parts of life they are often excluded from, and enabled growth for all participants, leading to a desire to extend the theatre company's ethos elsewhere.

CONCLUSIONS: The importance of such organisations to improve perceptions of people with intellectual disabilities is emphasized.