What is Drama Therapy?
According to, https://www.nadta.org/what-is-drama-therapy.html, “Drama Therapy is an embodied practice that is active and experiential. This approach can provide the context for participants to tell their stories, set goals and solve problems, express feelings, or achieve catharsis. Through drama, the depth and breadth of inner experience can be actively explored and interpersonal relationship skills can be enhanced.”
I truly believe this. As a Drama teacher, I have noticed how drama classes help children not only by giving them more confidence, but by healing them. I’ve had children with ADD come to my classes and I was able to give them the tools to expel all that energy they carry. I was able to help a child speak louder by giving her the confidence with vocalization techniques.
I want to bring this healing to children in Oakland, to start with. As I start this journey, I would like to share mental health resources. I have started this non-profit with the help of two wonderful Licensed Therapists as advisors. Although I am not yet a licensed therapist(I’m working on it), I am able to use my education and experience to help children cope by providing theatre techniques.
I hope that this can be an alternate way of therapy. As a person who suffered through severe bullying throughout my life, I know the struggle. I know the pain and anguish that children go through. My outlet was playing the violin and guitar, but the program was canceled by the state, my family was too poor to buy me a violin, so I stopped. I created MyTheatre Co. to help low-income children experience their artistic side without spending money.
As I start my journey in my bedroom, amidst a pandemic, virtually for now and maybe in-person at a park socially distanced. My wish is that MyTheatre Co. becomes something big, where we own our own building where children who are having issues at home, school, or anywhere else can come and have some respite. My wish is to put on plays once a year in our theatre. My wish is to have music equipment for children. My wish is to have low-income children have the same opportunities that privileged children have. My wish is to fundraise for children who are artists but don’t have the funds to continue their projects. I want to talk about mental trauma. I want to help those who suffer by bringing them a different coping mechanism. I want to bring theatre to beautiful Oakland. I want to help create change. Why not start with drama?
