In a theater production everyone plays a role. In life, we play different roles throughout the day. For example, I am a dance student, coder, arts student, son, brother, uncle, grandson, etc. In a family, all of us play different roles. In this blog, I am going to describe two scenarios (ironing and shopping) as theater. I hope you will read along and think about your life as theater!
It is important to play all our roles well. Theater teaches us to give complete attention to the role. Theater also teaches us to focus on that particular scene and that particular role.
Scene 1: Ironing Clothes
Scene choreography
My parents and I are in the home.
Home/ Ironing shop in basement of our apartment complex
Characters and role definitions
a) My role:
My role was to collect all the clothes and give them to the ironing man.
b) The others in the scene:
Ironing man
Mom and dad
First, I collect the clothes. I then put them in bags and take them down to the ironing man. When I take the clothes down the first time, the man is usually not there. Sometimes, I have to go two or three times before I find him. Since I enjoy walking a lot, I do not mind this part of my role. When I find out that the ironing man is there, I take the clothes down and give them to the ironing man. The ironing man has clothes from many people’s homes. The ironing man then irons the clothes. It takes the ironing man two days to iron the clothes. When the ironing man is finished with the clothes, he brings them up my house. Sometimes, I also go to collect the clothes and pay the money. After I get the clothes back, I put my clothes away.
Audio /script:
Script for requesting clothes from family members and script for interacting with ironing man.
Focus of the scene – Rasanubhava (Enjoying ordinary moments), Somewhat excited because of my interest in attire.
Scene 2: Going to Neighborhood shop.
When I go to the shop, my role is to buy the milk. First, I buy milk packets, I then take them to the shopkeeper. I ask the shopkeeper how much to pay. The shopkeeper says a certain amount. Then, I pay the amount the shopkeeper asks me. After paying the amount, I take the milk back home and put them in the refrigerator. Sometimes, my mother asks me to buy dosa batter. Sometimes, I feel like buying biscuits for myself. The shopkeeper only communicates in Hindi. Since I do not know Hindi, it is a bit hard to communicate with the shopkeeper.
Scene choreography
Myself and my parents are at home.
A shop outside our apartment complex
Characters and role definitions
a) my role: Buying milk and other items.
b) The others in the scene: Shopkeeper and other customers.
Audio /script –
Asking my mother what she needs. Interacting with shopkeeper.
Focus of the scene – Rasanubhava: Enjoying ordinary moments
Parent Note
Theater Arts for Holistic Development (TAHD) is a structured approach for applying the five tools (movement and dance, music and rhythm, storytelling, drama, and arts and crafts) for learning and development. More importantly, TAHD is an approach to life. Ananth’s current series of posts focuses on TAHD as an approach to life. Neurodivergent learners may have multiple challenges that make it difficult for them to play their roles. TAHD as a structured approach supports development and enables each individual to play their roles in life. Structured theater experiences develop the capacities for being attentive to the demands of the role, being in the moment, and doing each role with care and enthusiasm.