Spot On: Current Approaches to Drama Therapy

Drama therapy is a sort of therapy that uses dramatic techniques and concepts to help people alter their lives for the better. It allows individuals to express themselves, communicate with others, and cultivate skill. Drama therapy aims to provide people a space to be able to connect with each other, share their experiences and stories, and foster self-expression by having a healthy outlet for emotions.

Play, embodiment, projection, role, storytelling, metaphor, empathy, distance, witnessing, performance, and improvisation are all used in drama therapy to help people make meaningful change. A drama therapist evaluates a client’s needs before considering several techniques to address those requirements. Individual and group needs, skill and ability levels, interests, and therapeutic goals all influence how drama therapy is delivered.

A few approaches to drama therapy are-

1. Storytelling/Roleplaying

Sharing stories as a way to connect with others can help us and those we’re sharing our stories with heal. It creates a space for one to process their emotions, perhaps even understanding life’s comedy and tragedy without feeling confused, lonely or distressed. It allows us to share our lives with others. Roleplaying also lets us tell stories, often from the perspective of someone else. This builds empathy and community.

1. Improvisation

Improvisation is the activity of coming up with an idea on the spot. In theater, improvisation is completely unplanned and unscripted. The performers either find inspiration in each other, themselves, or ask the audience for ideas. Practicing improvisation can help one build a problem-solving attitude, since it demands a solution immediately. It helps with confidence, collaboration, leadership and listening skills.

1. Play

An attitude characterized by spontaneous problem-solving in which a play area is established, things are actively reused into new roles, and changes are accommodated. It helps people navigate through stressful situations.

1. Performance

There’s nothing quite like performing. The combination of thrill, excitement, and adrenaline creates an almost-ecstatic feeling for the performer as well as the audience. A performance needs an audience, and art needs a connection. Performing Arts allows for both the performer and the viewer to be emotionally involved in the performance. It helps with feeling more connected to one’s surroundings, and with increasing one’s confidence.

1. Theater games such as mime, mirror work, human knot, zip zap zop.

Theater games help all members of the group to feel closer to each other. They require one to be attentive, sensitive to detail, empathetic towards others, and observative. Theater games mostly require a lot of coordination and patience, and a lot of focus. They can help with team-building, as well as giving one the skills to better their interpersonal relationships.

There’s many approaches to drama therapy, and it has endless benefits. Many people choose to engage in it due to its cathartic, free-flowing nature. Drama therapy lets one get comfortable with themselves and others. It allows one to bloom in a setting where they are accepted unconditionally. It’s one of the most therapeutic ways of seeking respite.