Theater Therapy

Theater traditionally exists as a form of entertainment. From the ancient roman spectacles meant to overwhelm audiences with excitement, to the precision and diligence of Japanese Noh plays performed exclusively for the elite of society, theater has been an outlet for creativity and craft for its actors, while providing intrigue and escapism for its audiences since its earliest beginnings around 1200 B.C.E. However, much of the theater that exists today does not have this particular objective in mind.

Theater in the 21st century is created in countless forms and for a variety of diverse reasons. There are plays that exist solely for the purpose of political commentary, improvisational theater designed to aide psychologists in better understanding of the human psyche, and (as previous postings on this particular blog would show), activist theater which exists to give minority groups and citizens a voice through an underutilized yet innovative medium. However, there is one use of theater in particular that continues to provide significant change and progress, but unfortunately has not risen to overwhelming popularity. The described use is theater as therapy, and although the origin is unknown theater in this form has been around for a number of years, surging in popularity in the 1980’s when a particular theatrical troupe, known as Geese Company, performed and conducted workshops in prisons and dentition centers across America. Their unique story is documented in a 1987 issue of time magazine and the full article can be accessed at this link: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,965921,00.html

Theater as a therapeutic outlet is truly a powerful tool for both those involved in creating art in this form, as well as the audiences who are given the opportunity to experience such work. Theater as therapy has many different connotations, but there are two cases in particular that act as prime examples of the power and success of this unconventional idea.

Two years ago in Minnesota, a group of children with Asperser’s syndrome (a mild form of autism) participated in a summer theater workshop where they engaged in improvisational games, including a game in which the children had to mirror each other, at a close physical proximity, their fingers touching. While this “game” might sound unimpressive, (it is a common theatrical technique actors use to understand another person’s movements); for these children, participation in such an exercise was an extraordinary achievement. Children with Asperger's don’t like to be touched, and often have severe social disorders and problems interacting with other children. The fact that they were able to comfortably participate in an improvisation game demonstrates the triumph of the program’s goal of helping children with disabilities progress in their social and academic lives. Upon completion of the program, many of the children had made friends, spoken in front large audiences, and developed aspirations for future careers, achievements that are challenges even for children without such disabilities. More information about the program and its participants and director can be found here: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/08/14/autismcamp/

Theater as a therapeutic tool has also been used in a completely different manner. The aforementioned Geese Theater Company continues their drama therapy work today that they began back in the 1980’s. Geese Theatre Company practices drama therapy in prisons for correctional staff, sexual offenders, and violent offenders, both juvenile and adult. Upon first read, many might wonder why actors would invest their time in providing therapy for the violently disturbed, especially when there are innocent people who could benefit from such services. However, Geese Theater Company is unique not only because their work provides an outlet for expression for some of the world’s most dangerous minds, but it provides an outlet for understanding and education as well. By allowing criminals, sexual offenders etc, to share their stories through actors on a stage, however violent and disturbing they may be, the troupe is able to significantly contribute to the field of medicine. Their plays aide in understanding of how criminal minds operate, while examining the deep rooted causes of where violent and criminal thought originates. The Geese Theater Company’s website can be viewed at the following link: http://www.geesetheatre.com/