Applied Drama & Mental health

Drama heals

definition Applied Drama is the conscious and intentional use of Drama and techniques of drama to effect changes in people and communities

definition Applied Drama is the conscious and intentional use of Drama and techniques of Drama to effect changes in people and their beliefs and facilitate transformation in communities

Applied Drama is an umbrella term for the wider use of drama practice in a specific social context and environment.(wikipedia)

Applied Drama definitions Applied Drama can be a therapeutic medium using narrative, oral and written to examine shared experiences through a dramatic framework

It is used in communities, prisons, old age homes, education,and hospitals

Drama is an inclusive term I use the term Drama in the traditional Indian sense which is inclusive :

Drama includes dance, music, painting/sculpting

The Natya Shastra considers Aangikam as the prime mode of expression : the body speaks and communicates

Eight emotions and Saatva The Natya Shastra speaks of eight primary rasas: rasa is a psychophysiological condition in the performers and audience which marks a transformation of behavioural state.

Shringar, Hasya, Karuna, Roudra, Veera , Bibhalsa ,Bhayanaka,Adputha

Ninth one added later : Santa Peace or tranquility( if we can achieve this through performance it is possible for applied Drama to effect this state on a group of people

Applied Drama aims at helping the clients to experience and undergo that psychophysioloigcal condition which can bring about behavioural Changes

Story Role play Masks Improvisational theatre Games Music Song and dance Drawing or painting

I have a story to narrate Each one has a story to tell Act of telling stories involves externalising it, getting the story outside of oneself. A relief.

Healing effects of narration flow from having your story witnessed by others.

A person’s story is enacted, replayed and rendered in artistic rendition which results in transformation.

Encouraging people to narrate their stories : experiments in the prison and mental health institutes

Role play Role playing is a method for exploring the issues involved in complex social situations

It is a kind of simulation to help people to develop cognition

It is improvisational facilitating the participants at role play to understand that we are multi-dimensional

It helps in problem solving, exploring alternatives and self-awareness

Discover the many sided YOU through role play

Masks and self Mask is a device to help people see reality through fiction

Mask helps people to fantasise, specially children

Mask helps people to role –play easily, stepping into a role becomes fun.

Mask provides a safe environment- I am not seen, I cover myself with a mask.

When you put on a happy face mask and look at your self in the mirror then you realize its possible to be happy.

Mask involves the element of play and creativity.

Vocalisation & sound games Voice out : is an exercise that bulids up communication , group and at the same time helps participants to engage themselves in communication

Use of primal sounds, vowels for communication by non-verbal children with ASD is an interesting experiment happening in my Dramautism workshops

Why do we need speech if we can communicate with sounds which are primal.

Children making animal sounds

Manage your fear workshops Fear is a fundamental Human feeling that is universal and prevalent in all stages of life, childhood, adult and old age

Fear can cripple our lives specially feears that were experienced in childhood

Issues of gender are also key factors in Fear

In my workshops I found men refuse to talk about their fears than women

Children speak of their fears more easily

Safety first Create a safe and secure environment for play

Create trust in the participants Never force any game or activity on any one

Close every session with de-briefing/discussion and feedback

Suggest the activity for the next session and build up hopes and dreams

Talk to non-participating /non active participants.

Drama is the only future for ….. Natyame Tat Bhavisayethe. ( The Natya Shastra)

Drama has the key to mental health, rehabilitation and effective intentional use of Drama can help who face crisis in their personality ( PD Personality Disorder)

Systematic and conscious use of Drama helps the clients cope with some mental health issues.