Drama for Life

Drama for Life, based at the University of the Witwatersrand, is an academic research department for social transformation and healing in and through Applied Arts, Arts Therapies and Arts Research. Drama for Life| The Wits School of Arts| University of the Witwatersrand|

Department of Postgraduate Studies in Applied Drama and Theatre, Performance Studies and Performance Ethnography, Drama Education, and Drama Therapy. Drama for Life is internationally recognized as representative of the University of the Witwatersrand’s unique postgraduate academic, research and community engagement division that brings together the disciplines of Applied Drama, Drama Education and Drama Therapy within the context of a critical reflexive praxis. Our ethos is driven by the key question: What does it mean to be human and how can we learn to be resilient, without compromising our humanity, as we engage with the enormous challenges of change in the 21st century? Our study of this discipline, through the lens of power, pedagogy and praxis, is a critical inquiry into the theories and practice of development, education and therapeutic drama approaches toward social behavior change, within a human rights and social justice discourse, in urban and rural communities impacted by psychosocial trauma, economic and educational impoverishment, global cultural and climate challenges. Drama for Life’s inclusion of Drama Education is a deliberate acknowledgment of the significant role of the drama practitioner who uses drama as an educational methodology; the drama practitioner who facilitates theatre-making as an educational strategy; and the drama practitioner who teaches drama as a subject. Drama for Life is the only university programme in Africa that offers a recognised professional qualification in Drama Therapy with Health Professional Council accreditation. Drama Therapy is the intentional and systematic use of drama and theatre processes to achieve the therapeutic goals of symptom relief, emotional, cognitive and physical integration, and personal growth. Drama for Life offers the following Postgraduate qualifications:

1. Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in the field of Applied Drama and Theatre
2. Bachelor of Arts with Honours in the field of Applied Drama: Theatre in Education, Communities, and Social Contexts
3. Bachelor of Arts with Honours in the field of Drama Therapy
4. Master of Arts in Applied Drama: Theatre in Education, Communities, and Social Contexts
5. Master of Arts by Creative Research or Dissertation
7. PhD by Creative Research or Dissertation

Drama for Life’s objective is to educate professional artists, therapists, facilitators, and educators in arts for social transformation. Drama for Life is committed to the education of professionals who are research active, who understand what it means to be resilient care-givers, creators and leaders, who embody and execute ethical practice, and who understand, harness and implement collaborative, systemic arts interventions in education, development and, or health that are effective, affective and sustainable. For more information visit www.dramaforlife.co.za

Contact: Omphemetse Mokgosi, Programme Manager (Student Recruitment, Welfare & Scholarships) omphemetse.mokgosi@wits.ac.za and at dfl.info@wits.ac.za. Phone: +2711-717-4755