CREATIVE DRAMATICS

What is Creative Dramatics?

• An informal, improvisational, non-exhibitional, process-centered form of drama in which participants are guided by a leader to imagine, enact, and reflect upon human experiences through role-play, improvisation, pantomime, movement, and sound.

(American Alliance for Theatre and Education: www.aate.org)

What is Creative Dramatics?

• It is “incorporating theatrical components and dramatic exploration into educational settings to support the child’s natural tendency to learn through play.”

(PTM Creative Dramatics Program mission statement)

What is Creative Dramatics?

It is a distinct discipline, art form, teaching tool and educational process for teaching and learning; it is a hybrid between theatre and education.

(Nellie McCaslin's Creative Drama in the Classroom and Beyond.)

Reasons for Using Creative Drama in Education

• Social Skills

• Individual Growth and Development

Why should educators use Creative Dramatics?

Because Creative Drama:• Affirms that all people can play, that all

people can succeed at it, and that all people are creative; has no right or wrong answers.

• Develops people, is not a product; has experience and not performance as the goal.

• Promotes physical, mental and emotional learning.

Because Creative Drama:

• Supports concentration, imagination, problem solving, and critical thinking.• Fosters empathy, cooperation, and

compromise.• Cultivates self-control, initiative, and

self-esteem.• Helps children absorb, process, and

retain concepts.

Because Creative Drama:• Develops communication and language

skills, breath awareness, and voice control.• Enhances physical control and

awareness; develops gross and fine motor skills.• Encourages theatre and art appreciation,

provides accessibility; debunks the myth that only actors can use drama.

Because Creative Drama:

• Requires only space, leadership, imagination, and participation; is inexpensive and uncomplicated.

• Invigorates any subject, but can also be a subject unto itself.

Creative Dramatics: Programming Components

Some Building Blocks of Drama:

• Action/Movement• Sensory Exploration• Emotional Awareness/Empathy• Stories/Storytelling• Dramatic Play/Improvisation• Character Development/Role Playing• Interaction/Cooperation/Negotiation• Masks/Puppets

Springboard Subjects for Creative Drama:• Museum Exhibits• Theater and Improvisation Games or

Exercises• Books or Poems• Folk Tales, Fables, Fairy Tales, Legends or

Myths• Visual Arts: paintings, photographs,

sculpture, architecture• Location or Event--historical, contemporary,

real or imaginary

Springboard Subjects for Creative Drama:

• Scientific Processes or Natural Phenomena• Songs or Music• Sports•Mathematical Pattern and Sequence• Feelings and Emotions• Dance, Rhythm and Movement

“The Actor’s Toolbox” (Sean Layne)

•Body•Voice• Imagination•Concentration•Cooperation

Creative Dramatics: Programming Checklist

Is the program:

• Flexible?

• Physical?

• Fun?

Does the program encourage the “I”s?

• Imagination

• Innovation

• Improvisation

Does the program encourage the “C”s?

• Communication

• Cooperation

• Creativity

Is the program:

• Practical

• Prepared