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Drama Therapy, which falls
under the domain of Creative Arts Therapy, embraces the goals
of the creative arts process.
*Providing opportunities
for the participant to express feelings, emotions or thoughts
that may not be expressed through typical interactions.
*Increasing interaction
amongst group participants.
*Generating reminiscence
and reflection on life experiences.
*Increasing self understanding
and acceptance.
*Building a communal
spirit.
When thinking of Drama Therapy, many believe
the only approach is to re-create formal plays, having participants
memorize lines. Drama therapy offers many more opportunities
for personal expression. In fact, focusing on pre-designed plays
is not what Drama Therapy is all about. It is the goal of the
facilitator to introduce experiences which will allow the elder
resident/client to act out life roles - utilizing past life
experiences, memories and even regrets.
To introduce your residents/clients to concept
of "play acting", try some of these warm up activities.
It is important to promote reminiscense and discussion regarding
the topics or actions demonstrated and reviewed.
Action or Emotion Exercises : Have
emotions (sadness, happiness, anger) or actions (make a cup
of tea, change a baby, hanging clothes) written on index cards.
The participants pick a card, act out the emotion or action
and the remainder of the participants guess what it is.
Name Exchange : The leader begins
by saying his/her name and something he/she likes. In addition
to saying what it is they like, they create an action to pantomime
the preference. Each participant introduces themselves with
their name and what they like, with a corresponding action.
Magic Box : An empty box is brought
to the group and various exercises can be practiced such as...
-A favorite thing can be pulled out of the
bag (pantomime) and
"shown" to the other participants.
-Things that you dislike or want to get rid
of can be put into the bag/box. The participant has to pull
the unwanted item (could be someone, something or an emotion)
out of the air or nearby space and push it into the bag/box.
-Individuals can be pulled out of the box or bag. People they
want to introduce to the group or they can act like the person,
demonstrating their characteristics and traits.
Once comfortable with the idea/process,
try some more intense activities which involve extended interactions
and "drama".
Where shall we go? : Using narrative,
pantomime, dialogue and improvisation - arrange participants
into a "vehicle" and head to a mutually agreed upon
destination. As the trip progresses, participants act upon what
they see and wish to do along the way.
Dilemma Dramas : Present real life
situations - "what would you do if..." and have the
participants act out their reactions, actions or responses to
the event.
Continuous Story : An imaginary story
is introduced. For example, "we are sitting in a field
- having a picnic lunch and suddenly..."
The action begins with the participants filling in the story.
Props, visual aides, sound effects and music foster greater
participation and ideas.
Paper Bag Skits : A mixed, variety
of unrelated items (or they can be related) are placed into
the bag. The items can be pulled out, one by one, and a story
is created with the items as a stimulus.
Check out these links related to creative
arts therapies.
Check out these Drama Therapy sites.
Charades
and Creative Arts with Alzheimers Residents
Drama
Therapy Basics
Drama
Therapy Enlivens the Creative Spirit - Article
National
Association for Drama Therapy
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