Abstract

This research paper follows the heuristic study and development of a new Drama Therapy method entitled Authentic Neutral Mask. The researcher offers her own experiences with the method, as well as those of participants in a research group, as means for discovering meanings and essences that emerge from a synthesis of Movement technique 'Authentic Movement' and theatre technique 'Neutral Mask'. As part of this study, the researcher includes a thorough definition of the two separate methods and important components of the synthesized method. Adaptations to Neutral Mask technique needed for the purposes of therapy are also given, as well as the researcher's history with the two techniques and her reasons for synthesizing the two techniques into one method of Drama Therapy. The culmination of this paper is the formulation of a theoretical model grounded in existing theories in Psychology and Drama Therapy, and at the same time emerging wholly from the experiences of individuals engaged in Authentic Neutral Mask.