Dramatherapy Sue Jennings Explores the Term Paper

Ideally, dramatherapy is a regular process of interacting with a group of supportive people in creative and symbolic ways. Drama is used to empower individuals and offer people a chance to have more control over their behavior and their relationships. One of Jennings' central claims is that dramatherapy can transform society. As women become less willing to play into misogynistic social roles, males will react and interact with females differently. Stereotypes about people of various ethnic or religious backgrounds can be released through dramatherapy and encounters with the "other." Similarly, we release outmoded prejudices and biased modes of thinking when we allow dramatherapy to change us.

Dramatherapy relies heavily on symbols, imagery, metaphors, and myths, according to Jennings. Drama is itself a symbol of human life: reminiscent of Shakespeare's celebration of the world as a stage in which all men and women are actors. Seeing the world as a giant theater allows us to detach from our problems enough to heal them. Through theater art we see the interconnectedness in all of life. Drama allows us to notice when, why, and how we are responsible for our own actions. We step out of ourselves to encounter our true self more readily.

In Chapter 5, Jennings notes how we can use dramatherapy to stop playing reruns.Whenever we find ourselves dealing with the same relationship problems again and again, we are likely reenacting some key moment of the past. Instead of seeing that situation as an actor would view a new script, we rely on the reruns for what to say or do. Similarly, if we act compulsively or with addiction, we are acting unconsciously. Our life can become a series of reruns when it could be an exciting new stage production. Moreover, dramatherapy encourages us to cease projecting our prejudices onto the stage of our lives. With dramatherapy we become more in control of our body, our mind, and our relationships. Jennings demonstrates this powerful potential of dramatherapy with clear language, anecdotes, and even some examples of how the reader can immediately implement dramatherapy

Jennings' Introduction to Dramatherapy: Theatre and Healing: Ariadne's Ball of Thread allows us to react to situations and to people with a fresh mind and heart. Her book is therefore worth every penny of the 15-pound pricetag. Jennings' book will become a valuable tool for any reader wanting more from his or her life. Readers will find themselves revisiting the book for reinforcement because Jennings' positive attitude is infectious and inspiring.

Works Cited

Jennings, Sue. Introduction to Dramatherapy: Theatre and Healing: Ariadne's Ball of Thread.….....