Dramatic Technique, a powerful tool for the teacher
Way back when men and women were living in caves or wandering around looking for some animal to kill and roast on the fire, they began telling stories and acting out their fears, dreams and beliefs. Not strange then that dramatic techniques, role-playing storytelling have become essential educational tools. They demand discipline, concentration, mutual respect, creativity, imagination, self criticism and inter and outer directed learning. Storytellers and actors must develop an inquisitive spirit, cultivate open-mindedness and learn how to work together. They must be good observers and be willing to explore their own possibilities as wee as those of the group. They must get to know their own potential, develop the tone and timber of their voices, explore the secrets of their bodies, minds, emotions and memories; practice the possibility of movement, rhythm, pause, projection; gain stage presence and delve into the past, the present and the essence of the human condition.
Acting techniques are not just used by stage artists. They may be employed to enhance the growth of children, to entertain and provide stimulus for handicapped persons, and the sick, facilitating healing or use of the senses and body parts; dramatic techniques have likewise been applied with great success in education and frequently are employed by psychoanalysts, sales persons, journalists, and language teachers.
Theatrical training gives the teacher stage presence and enables her to build her self confidence and transmit empathy. Techniques such as role-playing allow students to discover the dynamics of discourse and the resort to dramatic games and improvisation greatly enhance fluency and the ability of the speaker to modify behavior and adapt to varying circumstances. Stress on breathing and diction facilitate the enhancement of speech. Lastly, but not of least importance, the need to “think in the shoes of the character” not only demands the use of logic but also enables the actor to better understand the social, economic, cultural and religious factors which influence the life of his or her characters.
The English language still refers to “play” and to “player” when mentioning the theatrical act and play is the essence of acting. As in all other games, theatre is played according to rules. But players are also allowed to “break the rules,” as long as they realize and assume the consequences of their acts. Furthermore, the game can be played in many different ways; there are diverse schools and acting tendencies but what all of them seek is transcendence.
Finally, the actor himself and in the shoes of the character he plays must ask and resolve fundamental questions such as: who am I? Where am I going? Where have I come from? What is my objective? What is my point of reference? To whom is my action directed? And of special importance: How can I do this?
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virginia -