Learning from theatre practitioners

This chapter involves the exploration of two theatre practitioners and how their theatrical philosophies, techniques and practices can be integrated into a playbuilding unit of work. We have chosen Ariane Mnouchkine and Bertolt Brecht as the theatre practitioners as their conventions, techniques and performance styles are distinctive, giving rise to two very different and divergent playbuilding projects. Furthermore, their theatrical practices utilise and value metaphoric transformation and the individual’s imagination to generate collective creativity. These are two very important aspects of playbuilding that need continual nurturing in a drama learning environment.