Note: The following can be applied to a person in a therapy group, training, or class other than psychodrama as can most of my posts.
The psychodrama director asks, “Who in this group needs a psychodrama.” The group then selects the sickest, weirdest, affectless, or most timid person. So that person generates exceptionally high anxiety, loses all aspects of spontaneity, and is dragged to the stage. No one knows the reluctant protagonist’s issue. The reluctant protagonist has no warm-up and may never get one because of the anxiety. It is no surprise if the psychodrama goes nowhere.
The psychodrama director asks, “Who in this group needs a psychodrama.” The group then selects the sickest, weirdest, affectless, or most timid person. So that person generates exceptionally high anxiety, loses all aspects of spontaneity, and is dragged to the stage. No one knows the reluctant protagonist’s issue. The reluctant protagonist has no warm-up and may never get one because of the anxiety. It is no surprise if the psychodrama goes nowhere.
I feel this method of selecting a protagonist is cruel.
Yes it could be and I hope not taught anywhere. It would be an example of the group choosing the safest way forward. Or an element of grandiosity entering the group thinking it can 'save' someone. Choosing someone without a warm-up is group suicide.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Peter Howie