Martin Cobin
About this essay
This short statement by Dr. Martin Cobin — who directed the Colorado Caravan following Dr. Richard Knaub — captures the philosophy that gave Developmental Drama its name. Cobin explains how unexpected educational outcomes from the Caravan’s performances and workshops led the University of Colorado to establish a Master’s degree in Developmental Drama, grounded in both theatre and education practice.
Full text
When we began we did not intend to be teachers or even imagine fostering the growth of individual audience members. The power of the productions changed that, and the added focus of workshops led the actors straight in to the educational system, working with principals, administrators, janitors, teachers, and students, and their goals for educating children. Often good as the production was, the educational impact of the workshops proved profound. Because of the subsequent demand by area educators, within three years the University of Colorado was offering an M.A. in Developmental Drama, and it was fed by both theatre and education majors.
The productions enlarge the understanding of, and appreciation for, theatre as an art form. Through workshops, it enables people who have had little contact with the theatre to have personal interaction with “theatre people” — as human beings and not just as performers. And it stimulates individual growth, as participation in a theatrical experience exercises the audience’s imagination and increases their sensitivity and awareness.
We choose material and production techniques in a conscious attempt to exploit the theatre’s potential for leading into the workshops that follow. The performance makes us familiar to the audience members and establishes our validity in their eyes. The students feel rapport with the actors. The performance facilitates the interaction between the actors, who will be leading the workshops, and the audience members, who will be workshop participants.
Developmental drama facilitates growth in the audience member. A workshop or theatre game can be designed to deliver developmental growth, subject matter growth, or be custom-built through pre-planning.
— Martin Cobin