Foundation For Future London, Collaborative Commissions research project

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Devising a performance-based methodology to: 

 

1. Connecting to under-represented participants, particularly those experiencing isolation, with little or no experience of drama, performance-based workshops 

2. Develop shared engagement techniques to recapture participants sense of play, who identify as neurodivergent, or have lived experience of long-term physical and/or mental ill-health and/or disability and experiencing isolation and withdrawal.

3. Produce spontaneous accessible games/ ideas/ opportunities for individuals in the group to engage with improvisation, without triggering fear or anxiety. Devise simple play techniques utilising combined arts; drawing, painting, music, dance, storytelling, improvision to trigger performance

4. To develop the ‘confidence, resilience and tenacity’ of individuals through creating short snappy comedy-based performances for social media to platform their talents encourage sustained participation.

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Process (in-brief)

 

We engaged 8adults aged 19 to 82 years from diverse backgrounds to participate in a series of four workshops over a one week period. Introducing games in a traditional way of starting a drama workshop, were not an option for us, we felt it would trigger immediate resistance from some members of the group. Ice breakers can be awkward for those who are sceptical and have no drama experience. Often games can feel patronising, over easy or too complicated for newcomers to grasp.

 

We devised a four unthreatening exercises/methods to trigger a sense of playfulness, to break-down barriers to participation and provoked a playful environment.

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Project Outcomes

 

Play is an extremely powerful tool for those with no experience of drama. Play techniques can be experienced at all ages, connecting with play is a natural precursor to improvisation and requires similar spontaneity and imagination but is far less daunting and pressure building, a structure to use for devising.

 

Play is great for engaging those with less experience and confidence to participate in drama

 

(1) is self-chosen and self-directed

(2) is motivated by means more than ends

(3) is guided by mental rules

(4) includes a strong element of imagination

 

In social play, the ways of playing must be agreed upon by all of the players, every idea or rule must be approved, by all others. The most important rule in play is the freedom to quit. That is part and parcel of play and every player knows that. Freedom to quit is what makes it so collaborative as all the players want to keep the game going so as to continue their own fun, and because they know that others may quit at any time, they are motivated to make sure that others are having fun.

 

That means paying attention, even to their nonverbal expressions of happiness or unhappiness, play provides a platform for getting their own needs met while also helping others meet theirs. It is a natural way to build confidence with great artistic results.

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