THE WORKSHOP

The facilitators return to the spirit of the experimental theatre movement by deconstructing fixed therapeutic and theatrical roles such as therapist, client, protagonist, auxiliary, director, teller, and actor. We seek to reintegrate several theatrical and therapeutic processes-psychodrama, sociodrama, playback theatre, transformations, improvisation, acting methods and ensemble work-while also honoring therapeutic intention. This workshop is for students, interns, practicing drama/expressive arts therapists, psychotherapists and theatre workers. Some previous theatre experience required. Join us for two days of exploration and expansion of therapeutic forms and processes in drama therapy:

• sound & movement transformations
• scene/transformation/scene
• personal story narration
• spontaneous self-revelatory performance
• improvised dream narration
• sociodramatic & psychodramatic transformations
• affective memory, sense memory & authenticity
• rehearsing & mastering nurturing parent & inner child roles
• mirroring & fluid sculptures
• embodied inner critic work

TECHNIQUE EXPLORATIONS

Sound & Movement Transformations—in the tradition of Joseph Chaiken's Open Theatre, archetypal images are revealed in rhythmic trance-like states.

Scene/Transformation/Scene—images and relationships are explored collaboratively through sound and movement that dissolve into scenes and then back into sound and movement.

Personal Story Narration—using the story theatre form, individuals embody and narrate stories from their lives.

Spontaneous Self-Revelatory Performance—individuals improvise personal stories and experiences while the drama therapy group/ensemble supports the story through embodied empathy accepting offers and creating mood and environment.

Spontaneous Dream Narration—client improvises a dream. The narration and images reveal themselves to the client and their meaning is explored in a group context.

Sociodramatic Transformations—a group explores a common issue or social role while free-associating on a theme.

Psychodramatic Transformations—psychodramatic structures are interwoven with transformations. Transformations are used instead of sharing during the integration phase. Transformations are used as warm-ups to uncover therapeutic issues and client(s) enter into therapeutic contracts.

Affective Memory, Sense Memory & Authenticity—Stanislavski Method is adapted and used to help clients identify and express their authentic selves.

Rehearsing & Mastering the Nurturing Parent & Inner Child Roles—rehearsing the inner child and parent roles to overcome negative self-talk and identify and express feelings and needs and encourage self-care.

Mirroring & Fluid Sculptures—blending embodied self-expression, Playback Theatre technique and ensemble improvisation.

Embodied Inner Critic Work—Drama Therapy is used to conquer and tame the nagging, judgmental or abusively self-critical and sabotaging inner voices that contribute to low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety through embodied role and counter-role exploration.
THE FACILITATORS

Armand Volkas, MFT, RDT/BCT, a drama therapist since 1975, is a director, actor, and psychotherapist. He is Associate Professor in the Drama Therapy Program at California Institute of Integral Studies and Adjunct Professor at John F. Kennedy University. As founder and director of Healing the Wounds of History, Acts of Reconciliation, and Center for the Living Arts, Armand has developed innovative programs using drama therapy and other expressive arts for social change, conflict resolution, reconciliation and intercultural communication.

Ron Miller, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Theatre Arts, McDaniel College, and director of the Interactive Theatre focus area and of McDaniel Playback, an undergraduate playback theater company. Ron integrates techniques from experimental theatre, drama therapy, theatre of the oppressed and playback theatre. He leads groups and teaches courses applying dramatic process to group dynamics, and to issues of cultural identity and conflict.