ABSTRACT
The drama facilitator, working amongst communities, arguably per forms a contemporary, radical and innovative function. It’s different from a theatre director or drama teacher, yet it borrows aspects of these roles. Modern practice leans on old disciplines. Where then are the role models? The following offer reference points:
THE SHAMAN The shaman’s primary function is to serve as a conduit to the spirits. He or she does this on behalf of the tribe, acting as a bridge to the spiritual realm. The shaman however operates differently to those who become subject to spirit possession, for the shaman always aims to remain in control of the visiting/inhabiting energies. This enables him or her to licence and supervise a controlled disorder. To achieve the means to perform this role, the shaman goes out from the tribe into another place then returns to infuse the tribe with energies which have been contacted elsewhere. This process of interacting with the tribe is begun by the shaman’s provocative behaviour. The shaman hopes to release energies within the participants which are powerful, sometimes disturbing, often invigorating. Encouraging this process are the uses of rhythm, movement, mask and symbolic objects.
