Author:
Mariia Kucova
July marked the conclusion of the theatre training knowledge exchange project between the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London and the Ukrainian Charitable Foundation "Voices of Children". The project was initiated and actively supported by Olha Danylyuk, a theatre producer and director, British Academy Research Fellow in RCSSD, CEO of NGOs "I-DO Lab" (United Kingdom), and "Ya-Diiu" (Ukraine).
Drama and performative arts possess unique tools to address trauma indirectly — through metaphor, symbol, and myth. After the full-scale Russian invasion, addressing trauma has become a priority for the recovery and rebuilding of Ukrainian society. This led to the idea of implementing new methodologies that explore the connections between drama therapy, psychology, and theatre creativity. I see how this approach works, inspires, and transforms our traumatic experiences into opportunities for personal growth and deeper understanding of life,
said Olha Danylyuk.
said Olha Danylyuk.
The collaboration lasted from August 2023 to July 2024 and encompassed:
- Webinars on drama therapy, available to all interested Ukrainian mental health professionals
- A several days of training in Krakow (Poland) for the Foundation's professionals, who subsequently applied their new knowledge to the unique context of Ukraine and created a street theatre performance with teenagers.
Drama therapy as a method
Instructors from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama conducted six webinars on drama therapy on the "Voices of Children" YouTube channel. Drama therapy is a method that uses storytelling and performance for healing, expanding consciousness, and developing new behavioral strategies and ways of interacting with the world.
Richard Hougham discussed the principles and prospects of sesame therapy, while Joel Anderson presented on image theatre.
Participants expressed satisfaction and hope that the drama therapy method would develop further in Ukrainian psychotherapeutic practice.
Thank you for offering a new perspective on familiar concepts and the opportunity to learn something innovative and useful,
was a common sentiment expressed by participants.
was a common sentiment expressed by participants.
Drama therapy in practice
The collaboration with the University of London also included a several-day training for two professionals from the "Voices of Children" Centre in Lviv (Ukraine), held in Krakow (Poland), in August 2023. Psychologist Inna Kniazieva and recreation specialist Anastasiia Halushko gained experience in psychological work with adolescents using performative methods, with the intention of subsequently tailoring these approaches to the unique context of Lviv.
We were able to gain a deeper understanding of how drama therapy can help teenagers express their feelings and worries through art. Particularly valuable was the interaction with colleagues from other countries, exchanging experiences and techniques that I now actively use in my work,
shared Anastasiia Halushko.
shared Anastasiia Halushko.
Upon returning to Lviv, the Foundation's professionals, along with Olha Danyliuk, conducted a two-week theatre course for internally displaced teenagers (IDPs). The sessions fostered an atmosphere of creativity and support, with the team striving to create a space where participants could feel safe and express their feelings through theatrical techniques. Children engaged in games and improvisations that helped them open up, recognise and process their emotions.
The culmination of their work was the performance "Emeta", which the Foundation's teenagers prepared together with students from the Lviv Professional College of Culture and Arts and the "Zhaivir" folk choir. The event took place on 8 October 2023 as part of the International Theatre Festival "Golden Lion".
In the performance, teenagers played the role of students learning the alphabet in class. However, this was the "alphabet of war", where each letter took on a new, painful meaning. For instance, children now associate the letter "A" not with "alphabet" or "apple", but with ATACMS missiles.
This performance demonstrated how war changes children's perception of the world, forming new, often tragic associations. It was emotionally intense and significant for all participants,
noted Anastasiia Halushko.
noted Anastasiia Halushko.
At the same time, expressing the deeply personal and painful experiences on stage was therapeutic for the performance participants. This format of working with teenagers promotes social interaction, strengthens emotional resilience, and facilitates social integration, which is particularly important for those forced to leave their homes due to the war.
For me, this experience was a warm creative whirlwind where I learned new practices focused comprehensively on movement, voice, and the body,
shared 16-year-old Veronika, a course participant.
shared 16-year-old Veronika, a course participant.
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