Narrative, drama and the compound stimulus (republishised article)

pdf PDF (ελληνικά)
Published: Dec 28, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/edth.37657
Keywords:
story narrative drama compound stimulus workshop
John Somers
University of Exeter
Abstract

This article is divided into six sections. It highlights the centrality of story to human existence, the key to drama’s effectiveness as a change agent, and then explores the implications for young people and for the drama they create. Section three describes the theory that underpins the use of a “compound stimulus”, a way of drawing participants into the fictional world and the exploration of specific stories. It also outlines the ways in which the compound stimulus should be used and provides case studies of its use. Finally, section six reflects on applications of the compound stimulus. 

Article Details
  • Section
  • Insert - Tribute to John Somers: His legacy, memories and stories from people who knew him
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
Author Biography
John Somers, University of Exeter

John Somers was an Honorary Fellow at the Department of Drama, Exeter University, England. He was founding editor of the journal Research in Drama Education and director of the international conference Researching Drama and Theatre in Education. He founded the Exeter MA Applied Drama. He was artistic director of the Exstream Theatre Company, which specialises in interactive theatre in non-theatre sites. He wrote and directed major original community plays. His play On the Edge won prestigious awards for its contribution to better understanding of mental health issues. He worked extensively internationally, in Finland, Estonia, Turkey, Poland and China. He won the American Alliance of Theatre and Education Special Recognition Award in 2003. His books include Drama in the Curriculum (1995), Drama and Theatre in Education: Current Research (1996) and Drama as Social Intervention (2006). A writer of many published articles, his research interests focused on Applied Drama and the role of narrative theory in drama.

References
Cousins H., & Somers J. (2001). The role of theatre in education in health education. New England Theatre Journal, 12, 1–26.
Hardy, B. (1977). Narrative as a primary act of mind. In M. Meek, A. Warlow, & G. Barton (Eds.), The Cool Web (pp. 12–23). The Bodley Head.
Jackson, A. (1993). Learning through theatre: New perspectives on theatre in education (2nd ed.). Routledge.
Novitz, D. (1997). Art, Narrative and Human Nature. In L. Hinchman & S. Hinchman (Eds.), Memory, identity, community (pp.143–160). State University of New York Press.
Somers, J. (1996). The nature of learning in drama in education. In J. Somers (Ed.), Drama and theatre in education: Contemporary research (pp. 107–120). Captus Press.
Somers, J. (1999). How teachers choose what to do in drama lessons. In C. Miller & J. Saxton, (Eds.), Drama and theatre in Education: International conversations (pp. 289-297).
The American Educational Research Association, Arts and Learning Special Interest Group & the International Drama in Education Research Institute.