Dorothy Heathcote: Drama as a Learning Medium

by Betty Jane Wagner

We're confident that this new edition of Betty Jane Wagner's seminal work will be welcomed by drama educators throughout the English-speaking world. Heathcote's work has been profoundly influential in that world. Until the publication in 1976 of Dorothy Drama as a Learning Medium, however, Heathcote's techniquesthe pedagogy of dramalacked full explanation. Wagner's book gives us just a close-up detailing of this gifted, dynamic teacher in a variety of classroom settings, along with analyses of Heathcote's remarkable improvisations with young people. Indeed, much of Betty Jane Wagner's book can fairly be described as drama within a drama. It's an engrossing work, for we listen and watch as Heathcote elicits drama of their own making from students across grade levels and disciplines. Wagner's goal is to share with teachers how they, using Heathcote's methods, can generate significant learning experiences.

Genres: Education, Theatre

260 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Matthew]

Read on a trip to and from Philadelphia. I got pretty carsick on the bus, but the detailed accounts of Heathcote's classroom dramas were excellent company. 17th century sailing ship voyages, the loss and discovery of a medieval document over hundreds of years, run-ins with a tramp named Tom Crow, and other episodes beside all commonly occur in Heathcote's classrooms. Illuminating and inspiring.

"I have never pulled myself across a deck that was trying to swamp me overboard, but I know what rope feels like, and I know I would want to survive."

[Rachel]

An interesting read. Good if youre going to be working with younge children and have no experience of theatre or acting at all. In regards to working with older chasten or adults then I think only parts of this book are relevant.

[Anne-Marie]

Wonderful book about process drama!