Dramatherapy is the intentional use of creative drama towards psychotherapeutic goals. According to scholars of the discipline, dramatic performance is a viable healing route for survivors of rape. Official reports by the South African activist group POWA (People Opposed to Women and Child Abuse) describe post-traumatic stress disorder in cases of rape as rape trauma syndrome (RTS). Symptoms of RTS include but are not limited to shame, guilt, self-blame, emotional dysregulation, low self-esteem, self-isolation, disassociation, anxiety and depression.
The therapeutic process in dramatherapy is framed by nine core principles. The processes are distinct and integral such that they lead to healing through a revelatory performance- the final stage for dramatherapy clients. My performance-lecture will review the arts-based enquiry research I undertook. The research was motivated by first-hand experience of RTS and finding healing by reconnecting with my body with the help of dramatherapy. I used my cultural background of Zulu orature and spiritual knowledge of healing through song and dance, to inform the performance. This knowledge was contrasted with dramatherapy’s core principles which include dramatizing the body, embodiment and empathy to self and others.
I can perform live or play a video recording of the performance which will then be followed by a lecture. The lecture will explain the value of my research for embodiment practices. Additionally, I will detail the research process that led to the performance, the findings and motivate for diverse voices in the field of applied arts from an African perspective.