The Drama Circle - Training Information, including our "Principles of Drama" course materials

Training	THE DRAMA CIRCLE Promoting Bahá'í-inspired Theatre Initiatives
MENU	Empowering the Community with Drama Skills		Objective "...to discover a theatre arts curriculum that is consistent with, and draws inspiration from, the writings and principles of the Bahá'í Faith, and to offer this curriculum to Bahá'ís and the general public." Junior Youth Programs WANTED: Theatre Artists to facilitate this course. Consider offering it as an arts supplement to the study circles and junior youth groups being sponsored by your local training institute. Email us a description of your intended project and we'll forward you the course materials (provided that your project is consistent with our intent). Don't do drama? But have some other craft to offer? Visit our Art Supplements page Sample Lesson (PDF) Course Promo 2006 (PDF)
	Our "Principles of Drama" course mixes spiritual principle with theatre technique. One might call it a hybrid of a Ruhi study circle and an introductory drama class. For youth and adults, it cultivates elementary skills of acting, playwriting and collaboration, but in that ideal learning environment of participation and consultation where individuals' gifts of the spirit are honored. Each lesson is organized around a spiritual principle inherent in the practice of the art. Participants study a quotation (or two) that relates to that principle and then engage in drama exercises that spring from that principle. Participants actively 'practice' the principle, thereby gaining, simultaneously, the skills of the art and a more holistic understanding of an essential principle in his or her daily life. By the end of the course, the participants have gained skills to make them comfortable to write, stage and perform their own 10 minute pieces. "The drama is of the utmost importance. It has been a great educational power in the past; it will be so again." —Bahá'í Teachings The goal is that, after taking this course, individuals will be inspired to incorporate drama at different levels of community life. The educational power of drama lies not only in its power to affect an audience—Drama has a profound and transformative influence on those who practice it. For more info, send us a note describing your interest.	Young participants discuss a scene (2006) Course Overview Part 1: Foundations (6 sessions) Awareness of body, concentration of mind, susceptibility of spirit Culmination: Simple Presentations Part 2: Acting (6 sessions) Speech & silence, desire and seeking, interpreting & understanding text Culmination: Performing short scenes Part 3: Playwriting (4-6 sessions) The creative self/the analytical self, reciprocity, dramatic perspective, revision Culmination: Readings of original plays Part 4: Collaboration (4-6 sessions) Collaboration, perseverance, harmony in staging & design, prayerfulness Culmination: Collaborative performance of original plays ü The 'Principles of Drama' course is dedicated to Anika James (1991-2006)