THEATRE
AS A REGENERATIVE ACT
Reg C. Bradley
"Nothing can encompass catharsis, therapy, religion,
politics and entertainment besides theatre."
(Danny Hock, American Theatre Magazine, July 1998)
Theater
is an excellent tool in teaching life-support skills and
building resiliency. Its very nature nurtures communication,
sharpens physical and vocal expression, explores craft
skills and unique forms of movement, stimulates the imagination,
expands personal awareness, exercises creativity, is dependent
on positive team relationships, experiments with new behavioral
patterns, requires timeliness in schedule and performance,
examines the nature of character and validates the value
of self examination. Theater has the ability to capture
the imagination and enthusiasm of even the most reluctant
child. Finally, theater requires risk taking, which successfully
managed, provides a foundation for building personal confidence
and a sense of achievement, all root elements in the development
of self-esteem.
Metaphoric
Theater is the best title to describe the kind of theater
Tears of Joy Theatre has evolved over the last 28 years
and is now introducing to kids through the Higher Stages
program. Metaphoric theater addresses content through
stylized and abstract techniques. It relies on music,
mime, mask, puppetry, movement and symbolic presentation.
While metaphoric theater involves sophisticated forms
of expression, it is accessible to young people whose
language and social skills are below standard level, which
is often the case with under-served kids. The nature of
metaphoric theater is particularly apt in dealing with
ethnic, cultural and mythic material, subject areas that
mightily increase cultural and personal identity and contribute
to a positive sense of well-being.
Mask/puppet
making and presentation as craft and performance activities
lend themselves to personal exploration and reflection.
The very act of having a 'life' impression made of one's
face is a kind of birthing experience; an opportunity
to consider new directions. Creating a positive plaster
impression on the surface of one's face with flexible
clay lets a young explorer consider new possibilities
for the shape and look of his/her life. What once was
an expression of hopelessness, can with some help, be
self-molded into a face with a future.
A key
value of metaphoric theater for the under-served child
is in its kinesthetic nature. 'Hands-on' learning is a
powerful alternative for the child who is not making it
in the classroom. Youth who rebel in the classroom are
often very bright, but have not connected through traditional
methods. Metaphoric theater is a backdoor to the three
R's. To achieve success in a theater context requires
a child to master basic discipline, communication skills,
emotional expression and control, memorization of text,
creative play, team interaction, and performance success.
It is the child who establishes confidence in his own
being who is capable of mastering the most demanding tasks.
"I felt that if
I could perform in front of strangers, I could perform in
front of the whole world and not feel bad about myself,
and feel more self confidence, and feel like I want to go
on."
- Higher Stages student performer
