This document defines and discusses different types of drama, including tragedy, comedy, melodrama, and tragi-comedy. It also explores the functions of drama in entertainment, education, and personal development. Additionally, it examines the use of applied drama and drama therapy in social work to help communities and those struggling with psychological or behavioral issues through catharsis and building skills. Drama therapy uses dramatic processes and performance to help with symptom relief, relationships, growth, and healing from trauma across various treatment settings.

1. drama
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SOCIAL WORK
Prepared by Van Tran

2. Table of content
 What is drama?
 Types of drama
 Function of drama
 Drama in Social Work: Applied Drama
 References

3. What is drama?
 The term “drama” comes from a Greek word meaning
action.
 An older meaning of 'drama' was the specific mode of
fiction represented in performance. (Elam, 1980).
 Drama is an adaptation, recreation and reflection of
reality on stage.
 Nowadays, drama is a term used to refer to a genre of
film or television which is more serious than comedy.
 Drama is an imitation of life.

4.  Definition from merriam-webster dictionary: a
composition in verse or prose intended to
portray life or character or to tell a story usually
involving conflicts and emotions through action
and dialogue and typically designed for
theatrical performance.

5.  The term drama is used at the following
three different levels:
1. Performance
2. Composition
3. Branch of Literature

6. Types of drama
 Tragedy
 Comedy
 Melodrama
 Tragi-Comedy

7. Tragedy
Tragedy is an imitation of an action that
is serious, complete and of a
certain magnitude; in language
embellished with each kind of artistic
ornaments, the several kinds being found
in separate parts of the play;
in the from of action not of narrative;
through pity and fear effecting a
proper purgation of these emotions.

8. Comedy
We use the words 'comedy' and comic to
describe something that is funny in our
everyday lives. These include a joke, or a
fantastic story that is full of nonsense, or
an absurd appearance that makes us
giggle, smile or laugh. The purpose of
comedy is to delight, to teach and to
entertain the audience through the
presentation of characters, situations and
ideas in a ridiculous manner.

9. Melodrama
The word melodrama is coined from melo
(music) and dran (drama). It is,
therefore, a play that utilizes music
extensively. But the utilization of
music is not the only factor in
melodrama, what really makes it
melodrama is its portrayal of the
protagonist and the antagonist.

10. Tragi-comedy
In traditional tragedy, playwrights are not
allowed to bring in any comic action. As
time went on, even from the Elizabethan
period, comic characters were included in
tragic plays. This is called comic relief.
Tragi-comedy is a play that mixes both
comic and tragic elements in equal
proportion of each.

11. Function of drama
 To entertain, inform and educate people.
 Drama assists in the development of :
- the use of imagination
- powers of creative self expression
- decision making and problem solving skills
- understanding of self and the world
- self confidence, sense of worth and respect and
consideration for others.
 The drama of any society, therefore, reflects the
problems, aspirations, philosophy and cultural background
of the people.

12. Drama in Social Work: Applied Drama
 Applied Drama: drama practice in a specific
social context.
 Helen Nicholson, Royal Holloway, University
of London, UK: Applied drama/theatre
relates to work which is orientated
towards aspects of social change, personal
development and community-building
through various forms of participation in
drama, theatre and other performance
practices.

13. Drama Therapy
 The ancient Greeks used drama for
catharsis. As anyone who has acted
knows, theater can tap into emotions,
build self esteem, and reduce feelings of
isolation.

14.  Drama therapy uses drama and theatre
processes intentionally to achieve
therapeutic goals. These include:
- symptom relief
- emotional and physical integration
- improvement of interpersonal skills and
relationships
- personal growth.
- healing trauma.

15.  Drama therapy has been used in a wide
array of settings, including mental health
facilities, schools, hospitals, substance
abuse treatment centers, correctional
facilities, adolescent group homes, nursing
homes, housing projects, and theaters,
among others.

16. Target of Drama Therapy
 Children, adolescents and adults who show
psychological and behavioral problems.
 Young offenders
 Youth at risk
 Addicted clients

17. How can drama therapy help
heal communities?

18. References
 Elements of Drama, National Open University of Nigeria
 Interactive theatre: Drama as social intervention (John
William Somers, 2008)
 http://www.socialworker.com/feature-
articles/practice/Theater_Processes_Therapeutic_in_Drama_T
herapy
 Drama as therapy for young offenders
 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drama
 (2006) Applied Theatre/Drama: an e-debate in 2004,
Research in Drama Education: The Journal of Applied Theatre
and Performance, 11:1, 90-95,
DOI:10.1080/13569780500437960

19. Thank you for your attention!