since i occasionally work in the entertainment industry, i have observed a number of acting workshops facilitated for neophyte and veteran actors and actresses.
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i have a serious concern for some of these workshops because many of the exercises and activities done have the effect of making traumatic memories surface and deep-seated and volatile emotions erupt.
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true, the actors and actresses leave the workshop feeling good about their newly-acquired acting skills. they however may also be leaving the workshop with emotional wounds that can adversely affect them long after the workshop ends.
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now contrast these workshops with drama therapy or psychodrama. both make psychotherapeutic use of theatre skills and the dramatic process to bring about self-discovery, personal growth, and emotional healing.
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it is a type of therapy that i enjoy facilitating primarily because participants enjoy it too. initially, participants hesitate, feel self-conscious, and exhibit a lot of nervous laughter. after a while though, they start letting their guard down and begin immersing themselves in their roles.
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let me share with you some pix of a recent drama therapy session held over the weekend:
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... me introducing drama therapy to the group:
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... discussing with the participant-director what she wants to happen:.
... the drama unfolding: .
... and gathering together again for emotional and cognitive closure:.
no oscar or famas awards here, but the participants almost always get rewarded with a sense of achievement, a wealth of insight, and a new sense of self.
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your observation is very true...there is a danger in drama workshops especially if the facilitator doesn't know how to make closure...
ReplyDeletekaya naman ang aking pagbibigay ng drama workshop ay hindi natatapos sa workshop... i make it a point na masubaybayan rin ang mga participants ko kung maaari. Subalit kapag alam ko na walang ganun na pagkakataon, hindi ako nagbibigay ng intense drama workshop, slight lang kung baga.
I do feel the facilitator has a lot of responsibility. That is why you cannot just become a theatre arts workshop facilitator because you know know to act. There should be training as well on how to handle the psychological aspect of the participants.
I really like this entry yours, doc.
I am actually a dramatherapist based in Malaysia. Just want to point out that Drama therapy and Psychodrama are not the same thing. Although some techniques of psychodrama is sometimes intergrated in the practice drama therapy.
ReplyDeleteThere is no question that drama therapy and psychodrama are not the same, but in my opinion the concern is about those who facilitate theatre arts and dramatic arts who make use of pandora's box style of moulding one's acting skill. These facilitators should be aware of the possible dangers that it can create and they should be competent enough to handle the situations should there be delicate issues that will surface during and even after the acting workshop. so it's really a tough job!
ReplyDeleteif i were to teach college or graduate students, i would make the distinction between drama therapy and psychodrama.
ReplyDeletehowever, if my intention was just to attract people to attend workshops, i would use either term. most lay people and workshop participants do not care at all about definitions and theories, their primary purpose in joining the workshops is to work on their emotional issues.
besides, in the philippines, the term "psychodrama" is associated more with telenovelas and psychological thrillers. the term "psychodrama" might then be an effective catchword to entice people to attend.