Drama Therapy

What is

Participants follow roles to tell a story or perform a part, embracing a new perspective of the character and

themselves

drama therapy?

What is drama therapy?

Shed light on feelings of a person,and teach them to overcome obstacles

•Drama and psychological healing: Aristotle, originator of the term “catharsis”

•Drama therapy emerged in the 1970s

•Used in hospitals, schools, prisons

Developmental Context

Examples•https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsPtNbNymi4

(12:48 – 14:04, 15:21 – 17:15)

More ExamplesActing in EE night’s stage play

•Experienced comforting a scared person

•Experienced frustration of not being in control

One “sculptor”, other group members are “statues” “Sculptor” instructs “statues” to assume poses, acting out a scenario about love (usually taken from personal experience) • Sculptor: observes their past experience without too much prejudice • Statues: empathizes with their assumed roles • Audience: able to discuss using tangible image

NTU Student Counseling Center “Sculptor of Love”

Demo•Two members demonstrate drama therapy by acting on stage and the third member introduces the therapy. • Invite an audience member to participate

Advantages•Express feelings in a safe environment•Recall emotions often overlooked in life•Strengthen the ability to perform personal roles •Develop relationships

More difficult to achieve with “talking therapy”

Disadvantages•Participant resistance•More scientific evidence neededNewer form of therapy•Low penetration rate Few consider drama therapy to be their first choice.•Still idealisticDrama and real life are different

Future prospective•VR: more immersive form of drama (e.g. role-playing game)•As of yet, there are no master programs for drama therapy in Taiwan

Encouraging young people to believe in themselves and find their own voice whether it's through writing, drama or art is so important in giving young people a sense of self-worth

--Michael Morpurgo, author of War Horse

Wrapping up

Unlike talk therapy, drama therapy gets there really fast. Role-playing -acting out issues and problems - is more effective than talking

--Robert Landy, Registered Drama Therapist