Zoe’s Blog of Joy

Adults, Learning and Drama

Question 1: Can you think of a time when theatre you have seen has left an impression on you? In what way did it impress you? Did it make you think or feel differently about a topic or idea?

I really don’t see enough theatre – I don’t live near the city and stuff that makes it to this end of the woods tends to be not worth seeing. Occasionally there is something good though. I saw a piece of theatre called “Me and My Friend” at the Dandenong Ranges Community Cultural Centre for a literature class in Year 10. It was one of my first experiences of adult theatre I suppose (as opposed to the theatre made for children). I don’t even remember much about it, but (with the help of a friend with a better memory than mine who saw it with me) it was about a group of mentally disabled people who, due to changes in government, were forced out of care and into shared living environments. Apparently it was written in England in Thatcher years when many of the mental hospitals were closed down. The issues delt with were pretty heavy I suppose, and it was delt with in a really nice way, but it was the space that got me. The performance space was really small and intimate, and that was so different from my experiences of theatre, and I guess I didn’t think theatre could be done that way. It gave a real closeness and claustrophobia to the piece, like we were part of the action on stage, not just an inactive audience. I guess I like the way art can do that to adults – the way the form can really challenge their expectations and assumptions about what art is and what it is capable of.

An aside…it’s interesting because that Arts and Cultural Centre I mentioned just recently hosted an exhibition called “Blasphemy” (which my fiancé was a part of) which looked at these issues (challenging audiences, the role of the artist etc) AND I just found out that the play I saw in year 10 was performed by the same company that has the youth theatre group that I lead! Weird how things are so connected…

Question 2: Can you think of any examples of theatre specifically designed to educate/ influence adults?

I think, in a sense, all theatre (if it’s done well), seeks in some way to educate and influence adults. They contain morals, values, and messages for the audience. Is that a cop out to the question?

Question 3: What examples can you think of where drama is used to educate/train adults?

Last year I observed a young woman who was conducting classes for adults with mental illness. The participants had become disengaged from society due to their experiences and the sessions were aimed at integrating them back into the community. For these people, some simple everyday activities can be challenging, and the role play activities help them experience those events in a safe and supportive environment. The sessions were also aimed at developing confidence and making them feel good about themselves and the world around them.

Question 4: What are the factors that inhibit the use of drama as pedagogy for adults?

As adults, we learn to see the world rationally, realistically, and not to loose ourselves in imagination and play. I recently babysat my 5 year old nephew, and he had me playing with transformers, and making wands out of leggo, not stepping on cracks in concrete – his whole world was filled with the imagined, the unreal, and I had so much trouble entering that world. I couldn’t deny the reality, and I was embarrassed, even when no-one was looking. I was self-regulating myself to believe that there was something wrong with pretending. So if it is hard for me, who is involved in drama and role play on a regular basis, it must be even harder for those with no experience with drama.

Question 5: Are there any ways of ameliorating these factors to make drama more palatable for adult learners?

I think I can get involved in drama and play because there is a focus, a serious goal, I’m not pretending just for fun (although it is rather fun). We need to keep adult learners focused on the outcome so that they can loose themselves in the drama.

Question 6: Suggest some further ways that drama may be used or applied in the teaching of adults.

Drama is used in the workplace to role play scenarios, for example, issues with customers, issues between workers etc. I have also heard of employers sending their workers on “group bonding” type workshops that help develop team skills and such.