The role of theatre as a site for learning in a community context and how it can provide informal learning opportunities for young people experiencing social difficulty
Theatre as Experiential Learning Tool:
Step by Step Process to Implement Theatrical Laboratories in Classroom
Table of Content
6.5 Tools and Environment
OFF-Book work needs a particular care for the environment and the tools which are used, concretely and abstractly.
Concretely, to create a positive atmosphere you need an appropriate working environment. OFF-Book Theatre Labs require empty spaces, not too small or too large, with a good floor, if you work barefoot. It would be good if this room were as neutral as possible.
For some exercises, it can be useful to have complete darkness and, generally, a different kind of illumination, maybe something more intimate - neon lights can help, as well as curtains at the windows, not to observe or be observed by the world outside.
Music and sounds are essential. So, this room needs to have an audio equipment. Furthermore, it has to be a place where the students feel safe if they sing or scream, without disturbing others, and especially where they don't feel judged by someone outside.
In short, everything that can give a sense of isolation, protection, safe and intimate environment could help the work become deeper and more useful.
You can also need pens and papers, colours or other materials that could be needed for the exercises proposed. A participants’ list is necessary too, to check the students’ frequency and to take notes on them, about how they respond to the exercises, or if you want to remember something they have said.
Other tools needed can be brought by the students. For example, appropriate dresses for the physical work, or objects that can be used during the exercises.
But the abstract tools are the real important equipment of theatre educators and teachers.
Openness is the basis. Listening and advising skills, care and attention are always requested. The educators and the teachers sign the contract with the students at the beginning. They also respect the rules of the laboratory: not to judge, not to be judged, not to speak when it is not required, try everything at one's best in the unique possible way: one's. The teachers and the educators accept to be considered peers, as human beings, especially for the students, in a different way compared to school life.
All these requirements contribute to a very positive working environment.
Online Resources
- Experiential learning Experiential learning takes various shapes and takes place in various settings. As seen in this video, students can benefit from experiential learning at any stage of their development through any or many disciplinary pathways. But such an approach to teaching requires ample planning and guidance to ensure the highest chances for success. The following tips highlight the most important elements of the best experiential learning opportunities.
- Experiential learning tools to enable participants to get hands-on experience with conceptsOn this page we will be looking at Experiential learning tools to enable participants to get hands-on experience with concepts. All of this site is about one kind of tool - games. On this page and its connecting pages we will look at other tools, too.