Ways to Get People
Thinking and Acting:
27CHAPTER
27-1
Village Theater and Puppet Shows
Role playing, sociodramas, people’s theater, and puppet shows are all forms of
action-packed story telling by a group. Each can be used to explore problems or
situations by acting them out. At best, they are an excellent learning process for both
actors and watchers, based on participation and discovery.
The difference between these dramatic forms is one of methods and subject:
ROLE PLAYING is the simplest form, often used as a learning game in class.
Several students, or the whole group, act out a problem or situation. Each student
pretends, or ‘plays the role’ of a particular person-for example a sick child, the
child’s mother or older sister, or the health worker. Usually role playing is done with
little or no practice ahead of time, and no memorizing of parts. The story’s details
are developed by the group as they act it out.
Because role playing is such an excellent classroom method for bringing
problems to life, we have discussed it already in Chapter 14. And there are
more examples in other parts of this book. For instance, in Chapter 1 we use
two role plays to compare ‘the bossy teacher’ with ‘the good group leader’
(see pages 1-17 to 1-20).
SOCIODRAMAS-or social dramas-are used to explore people’s attitudes,
feelings, and behavior. They often focus on social or political concerns: how some
people affect the lives of others. Their main purpose is to increase people’s
awareness of underlying human problems, and to explore possibilities for
action and change.
Sociodramas can be developed in class
as spontaneous (unpracticed) role
playing. Or they can be presented in
public, perhaps before the whole village,
with or without much practice and
preparation.
THEATER is a form of public play
acting. The story or ‘play’ is usually
planned and practiced in advance. Parts
may be memorized, but it is often more
effective and a better learning process
if participants understand their roles and
speak in their own words.
Health-related theater is a good way to bring people together, including many who
do not go to meetings or health talks. Theater can communicate messages, ideas,
or concerns in a way that holds people’s attention and makes them think— and act!
Make-believe action on stage can lead to real action in the community.