Drama Therapy in Action

Last night, I had the privilege of attending a play starred by an acting troupe with a mission. The play was called "Attitude of Gratitude: Touched by Cancer" and it's part of a drama therapy project sponsored by the wonderful CARE program.

Theater is a lens through which to see and empathize the world. And in this case, theater offered both emotional recovery to the unexperienced actors and exposure of issues to the unsuspecting audience. The audience was deeply moved by the personal stories regaled by nine survivors in the confines of the intimate theater. At the same time, the survivors had the opportunity to heal through self-expression, community, and discipline.

For 75 minutes the actors revealed their deepest stories (in English, Mandarin, and Spanish), followed by honest convictions of joy and opportunity expressed through dancing, singing, and clowning. I laughed. I smiled. I cried. And by the end, I felt so close to these people who 75 minutes earlier were unfamiliar faces.

I can imagine the benefits to a participant in this program: the opportunity to explore and articulate often hidden stories; to meet and work with others who have similar experiences; to engage the brain and body; to express through imagination and voice; and to have a platform through which to tell your story.

Drama therapy is defined by the National Association for Drama Therapy as "the systematic and intentional use of drama/theater processes and products to achieve the therapeutic goals of symptom relief, emotional and physical integration and personal growth." It is a form of complementary therapy that has been around for years, but of course struggles with underfunding.

I want to thank the cast of the performance, along with those who make such programming possible. I was moved by the spirit and bravery expressed on that stage last night, and hope I can bring a little of that sanguinity to my life.