Exploring Mind and Embodiment through Theatre Games

Comments from Participants in Deer Park's Theatre Workshop

A popular new addition to this year’s arts curriculum was Susan Campbell-Webster’s popular Improvisational Theatre class. A participant writes..

I joined the theatre improvisation class two days late. I had heard the whoops of joy coming from the classroom and my shy heart cowered at the thought of all that unfettered being. Finally the wisdom of leaning into that which fills us with dread became something that I could act upon, and with a heavy feeling in my digestive system I entered the class. The first exercise increased the weight – we had to speak, I thought we were just going to play games.

When it was my turn to go my mind went blank, I couldn't think of anything funny or clever, only honesty was there "I am always finding my shyness and trying to overcome it". After that I warmed up a little and started to feel good with the group and the wonderful teacher who reminded us of the theatre saying "I've got your back" meaning that we are all there to catch one another if someone should fall. The complete lack of inhibition of some of the members inspired me and over the next two days as we played mirroring, improvisation and various other games, I opened up and the feelings of self-doubt and abdominal tension evaporated, and a space was left where I could simply enjoy, feel free and trust that nothing that I did in the class would be wrong.

Best wishes and thank you for the wonderful programs.

Kaye

Therapeutic! Apart from equipping us with tools that helped us learn how to act - the workshop can transform you. It rid the shy of inhibitions yet the improvisations calmed aggressive behavior. It provided methods of concentration and ways to rid ourselves of past baggage. Enlightening. I carried away many treasures to share with my 900 children.

Kajoli Khanna (educator & social worker)