It is a quiet Saturday on the premises of Meridian School in Banjara Hills. The school is shut but there is enough drama happening on the fourth floor. Open the door and it is like entering a different world. A gathering of special educators from different schools watch intently along with Sowmya Ram, drama therapist as actors Chaitanya, Prithvi and Sai Rishika enact a scene: A couple walk into a restaurant and sit indifferently. They are constantly bickering with each other and to add to their problems, the waiter accidently spills food on the lady. The man becomes angry and displays violent behaviour. Sowmya’s voice zooms across the hall. “What you have seen is a display of reckless attitude by individuals in handling a situation. This is a ‘before’ scene. Now see the ‘after’ scene,” she states. The same scene is enacted again and when the waiter spills food, instead of shouting, the man holds his calm and talks to the waiter.
It is a new cycle of learning in etiquette and behaviour as the alternative drama therapy workshop turns into an exciting session for the participants.
Sowmya affirms how tools and techniques aid special children, especially those with learning difficulties, to be confident and improve their learning. “Mime can teach children life skills. Children who have speech problems or those who cannot communicate and are scared to talk will benefit from it,” she adds.
Next comes a different presentation when students of Standard V and VI take centre stage and enact small skits about earth and kilometre. There is cheer and loud applause as it is a big step for these students, who have speech related and behaviour issues. “I know how the students were when we started the activities and how they have become now. There is a lot of improvement,” says Sowmya with a smile.
Pratima Sinha, Principal of Meridian avers that this form of alternate therapy is a big boon for special children. “This is the first time that theatre is being used as a therapy in school. Alternate therapy brings this kind of change where children, who are autistic and have communication and behaviour issues, can be part of an inclusive education,” she explains. She says this is an attempt by the school to bring in awareness and spread the word.
The session continued as Sowmya took over as teacher and the special educators turned into students to participate in different activities and theatre games.
