EDGE+ – Applied Theatre in Intersectionality of Healing and Education – a pioneering step by KCLAS
The Department of Psychology organised a five day programme for the II Psychology students from 05 – 09 February and the outcomes
are highlighted. The programme was curated and facilitated Rangbhumi, a applied theatre organisation based in Mumbai. They are pioneers in applied theatre in India and have international accolades for developing the applied theatre pedagogy.
The five-day course on applied theatre in intersectionality of healing and education for the students of psychology emphasised the possibility of learning and transformation in parallel. The techniques of applied theatre curated and facilitated by Ms Chetna and team were cathartic and therapeutic in nature that not only led to a change in the individuals but also appreciate the theories of psychology through which their personal narratives were interpreted. This community of students were separate individuals. However, by subjective and objective interpretation and understanding of their personal narratives, social norms and psychological theories, they came closer as a group by trusting each other and normalising their experiences. The course went in depth by helping students immerse in a creative process grounded in the applied theatre forms and the theories of psychology such as the social development theory by Lev Vygotsky and cognitive development theory by Jean Piaget.
Ms, Chetna, the founder of Rangbhumi, was highly appreciative of the EDGE+ initiative of KCLAS as KCLAS is the first institution in India to offer academic credits for applied theatre in psychology education. While this is seen in international universities, in India KCLAS makes this pioneering step.