Theatrical Activities as a Tool for Working with the Risks of Adolescence: International and National Experience

Abstract

The article presents an overview of theatrical practices aimed at identifying, preventing and correcting adolescents’ behavior that demonstrates the tendency to take risks via development of emotional intelligence, meta-subject competencies, a sense of responsibility and awareness. It analyses the similarities and dissimilarities in the use of theatrical practices abroad and in Russia while working with troubled teenagers. The use of theatrical practices in relation to the age-related needs of adolescence is substantiated. The article describes the most widely spread theatrical practices like forum theater, playback theater, popular theater, play theater. It also outlines the differences between theatrical practices focused on the process of creating a performance and practices aimed at creating a final product — a performance. An analysis of empirical research is provided in the context of comparing the types of theater practices in the line with the results achieved while working with adolescents who are prone to risk or belong to a risk group. Basing on the example of “Multimedia Theatre”, the article establishes the relevance of the development and use of theater pedagogy tools for solving pressing problems of contemporary adolescents (including the method of experimenting with roles).