Applied Drama is an umbrella term for the wider use of drama practice in a specific social context and environment. This practice doesn't have to take place in a conventional theatre space. It can be shared with, or created for, a specific audience, making them the starting point and the driving force for what is often a personal based exploration.
Applied Drama can be a therapeutic medium, using narrative and both real or imagined story as a tool to examine shared experiences through a dramatic framework. It uses symbols, role play and improvisational theatre to allow us a point of entry into the 'self', and as a vehicle for exploring the relationship between knowledge and action.
What the audience perceives and contributes categorises the very nature of Applied Drama, for example, Theatre in Education (TIE), Drama in Education (DIE), Community Drama, Drama in Healthcare (such as Clown Care), and Prison Theatre. It requires the participants to be willing, truthful and honest, tapping into feelings to provoke responses and sometimes to encourage change.
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Drama in education provides a forum for students to develop an understanding of themselves and others. As students develop a better understanding, they are able to create works using the forms, elements and techniques of the drama discipline (Ontario Arts Curriculum, 1998)[1]
There are many post-secondary academic institutions across the world that offer training in Applied Drama, which may also be called Drama in Education and Community, Theatre and Development, Industrial Theatre, etc. In Canada alone there are degree programs offered at the University of Windsor, Concordia University Montreal, the University of Alberta, and the University of Victoria in B.C.
In Ontario the University of Windsor is renowned known for its undergraduate degree in Drama in Education and Community. This program explores applications for drama such as Theatre for Social Action, Drama in Education, and Drama in Healthcare. Professor Bernie Warren is a tenured professor in this department and one of the world's leading researchers on clown therapy which is one example of applied drama.
There are many methods for teaching drama. Each strategy involves varying levels of student participation. Drama can be done as an activity on its own or as an extension of another subject area. Picture books are often used as a source in drama.
Drama games, activities and exercises are often used to introduce students to drama. These activities tend to be less intrusive and are highly participatory. See Drama Games for some example activities.
There are several books that have been written on using drama games that can serve as excellent resources for anyone wanting to incorporate drama games into their work. Games for Actors and Non-Actors by Augusto Boal is perhaps the best known internationally and includes writings on his life work as well as hundreds of games. There are also smaller books however, which serve as excellent practical guides. For example, Drama Games by Bernie Warren is an excellent pocket book for someone looking to try drama games for the first time.
Choral dramatization involves students reading aloud by assigning parts to each group member. Choral dramatization can use texts such as rhymes, poetry, and picture books. Students can experiment with voice, sound gesture and movement (Swartz, 1995).
Tableaux involve students creating visual pictures with their bodies, emphasizing key details and relationships (Wilheim, 2002). Tableaux are frozen scenes and usually involve at least three levels. Students focus on a focal point, facial expressions, and body language.
Improvisation is the practice of acting and reacting, of making and creating, in the moment and in response to the stimulus of one’s immediate environment; see Wikipedia: Improvisation. Improvisation can be a great introduction to role playing. Students focus on position, expression and creativity in their impromptu skits.
Role playing allows students to play a character in a real or imaginary situation. One of the simplest forms is where “the student plays himself faced with an imaginary situation.” (Wilheim, 2002, p.62) Other strategies have students playing real-life or imaginary characters in a variety of contexts. Role play can be used throughout many areas of the curriculum, especially history and language arts to support and strengthen understanding of content. Below is a list of some common role-play strategies.