- About Story-telling and theatre improvisation:
Story-telling is the activity of narrating stories and sharing them with others. It is usually used as a technique along with improvisational and theatrical elements.Among others, it can be used as a tool to better understand one’s situation and to help people empathise with characters and scenarios. It helps people reflect on their behavioural patterns and to understand themselves and others better.
Improvisational theatre is a form of theatre which is being composed on spot. That is, each improvisational performance is unique, and plot, characters and dialogues are all created spontaneously as the play evolves. In improvisational theatre, there is also a high degree of interaction between actors and audience. As a technique, it is viewed as a democratic art form which enhances community and empowers participants and audience. Beyond the performing arts context, it is also used as an educational tool which can help develop communication skills, creative problem solving, team-spirit and as a psychotherapeutic tool which can help the person get an insight of their thoughts feelings and interpersonal relations. It furthers helps people become more mindful and attentive to their surroundings.
- References and Resources- Further information on Story-telling and Theatre Improvisation:
Everett, J. A. (2013). Intergroup contact theory: Past, present, and future. The Inquisitive Mind, 2(17), 1-6.
Moran, G. S., & Alon, U. (2011). Playback theatre and recovery in mental health: Preliminary evidence. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 38(5), 318-324.
Pettigrew, T. F. (1998). Intergroup contact theory. Annual review of psychology, 49(1), 65-85.
Rousseau, C., Benoit, M., Gauthier, M. F., Lacroix, L., Alain, N., Viger Rojas, M., & Bourassa, D. (2007). Classroom drama therapy program for immigrant and refugee adolescents: A pilot study. Clinical child psychology and psychiatry, 12(3), 451-465.
Rousseau, C., Gauthier, M. F., Lacroix, L., Alain, N., Benoit, M., Moran, A., & Bourassa, D. (2005). Playing with identities and transforming shared realities: Drama therapy workshops for adolescent immigrants and refugees. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 32(1), 13-27.
Schaefer, C. E. (Ed.). (2003). Play therapy with adults. John Wiley & Sons.
Wiener, D. J. (1999). Using theater improvisation to assess interpersonal functioning. Journal of Group Psychotherapy, Psychodrama and Sociometry, 52(2), 51.
Wiener, D. J. (1994). Rehearsals for Growth: Theater improvisation forpsychotherapists. New York, NY, US: W W Norton & Co.
- During Story-telling and theatre improvisation-based workshops, General Tips for the educator:
*Before the beginning of the workshop, facilitator is encouraged to warmly greet the participants and briefly introduce them to the workshop. When introducing the workshop, make sure that you mention to the participants that this is a safe spacewhere they can feel free to express themselves, bodies and thoughts. There is no right or wrong and mistakes are allowed and desirable. They should respect all the other participants and treat everybody equally. Everyone cares for everyone in the workshop and make sure that their partner’s safety is ensured. They should also be reinsured that whatever happens within the workshop, remains in the workshop. If at any point they do not feel comfortable with something, they can always discuss it with the rest of the group.
*Gently make sure that participants are not partnering only with members of the ingroup and that they are not partnering with the same people. In larger groups, make sure that there is a diversity in the group of participants. That is, it will be better if participants cooperate with people who are different from them at the level of nationality, religion, gender etc. This will ensure that diversity of the participants is being used in favour of the projects’ aims.