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First Time C on f eren c e P res en ters
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In c it e / In sig h t
Fi r s t T i m e P r e s e n t e r S po t l i gh t
Spring 2 018
Process Drama: A Theatrical Tool for Social Justice
By Colleen Horan & Sindy Isabel Castro
Setting
In Fall 2017, graduate students
Colleen Horan and Sindy
Isabel Castro enrolled in Chris
Vine’s course Intro to Drama
Conventions at the City
University of New York’s School
of Professional Studies. During
one particular session, Vine
facilitated a process drama
entitled Last Town, inspired by
the novel The Last Town on Earth
by Thomas Mullen.
Last Town Scenario
Students were asked to
participate and go in role as
community members living 100
years ago. A war breaks out, a
plague spreads, and a group
of strangers come to their town
seeking refuge. As a community,
they must decide what to
do. Should they welcome
the newcomers in with open
arms? What else would they be
welcoming in if they did?
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Process
Through “drama” conventions,
the class was tasked with
making decisions and taking on
mindsets that belonged to their
characters. The drama offered
insight about how process
drama can aid facilitators
and teachers in encouraging
dialogue around difficult topics
and explore possibilities for
action within the safety of being
in someone else’s shoes.
Perspective: Sindy Castro
In Fall 2017, my classmates and I learned about process dramas
in the course Intro to Drama Conve