Abstract

This paper asks the question “How have the life, practices, and works of Viola Spolin influenced, and been influenced by, the field of Drama Therapy and its practices?” This paper will explore the life, theories, and practices of Viola Spolin and clarify their relationship to the field of Drama Therapy. In this research I will use the method of historical-documentary research, first to show the crucial elements of Spolin’s life and theories, and then to connect them to the larger field of drama therapy. This will show the influence that drama therapy ideas had on Spolin, as well as the influence that Spolin had on the field of drama therapy. I will also show some brief examples of how Spolin’s games are currently used in research within the field of drama therapy.