Applications of Dramatic Literature & Role-Play
The five sequential phases of drama therapy each have a direct set of goals. In phase one, dramatic play, establishes a safety net, a playful environment where clients feel safe to do the tough work to follow. Phase one is extremely important for it is where trust begins to develop both in ôoneÆs own capacities,ö ôbetween group membersö and ôin the therapistö (Emunah 1994, 35). Generating spontaneity as well as building relationships and interaction is also a goal of phase one. Phase two, scenework, involves theater as its conceptual source. The main goal of the therapist in phase two is ensuring ôthe freedom that promotes self-expression and role-expansionö are developed, (Emunah 1994, 37). On phase three, role play, clients are now prepared to use drama to investigate situation in their own lives. Role play is extremely significant for phase three, as it demonstrates that role play is ôa dress rehearsal for lifeö (Emunah 1994, 39). In phase four, culminating enactment, by enacting roles in created dramas clients are able to gain access to unconscious thoughts and feelings. Psychodrama and psychodramatics are the core conceptual source of phase four.
Phase five, dramatic ritual, has as its chief goal closure. Phase five integrates and assimilates the therapeutic process from prior sessions in a way that brings closure to the client and group. Dramatic rituals are the main dramatic process in phase five, and it is important to understand that closure does not represent an ending. It represents a beginning so that the client is able to move past group and begin to interact with the world with their new ôselfö. Phase fiveÆs goal of closure enables the therapeutic progress made by the client to be applied to daily life. This is the key goal of therapy in total. As Emunah (1994) explains, ôThe intensive and carefully designed process of closure in phase fiv...