Today, the Moreno Psychodrama Stage at Boughton Place is still used regularly for its original purposes and then some. As the home base of the Hudson Valley Psychodrama Institute (HVPI), run by Walters and Judy Swallow, it has become a training center for psychodramatists from around the world – not to mention other professionals who find psychodrama techniques useful in their work, such as substance abuse counselors, Human Resources staff, doctors who work with terminal cancer patients, FBI hostage negotiators and even trial lawyers and corrections officers. It is also home to the Hudson Valley Chapter of the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama, of which Walters is currently president; Community Playback Theatre, which performs there on the first Friday of each month; arts therapy sessions for people with special needs through Potential Unlimited; and is used as rehearsal, performance and instruction space for theatre, improv, poetry and music groups including Vagabonde Shakespeare and Got2Lindy Dance Studios.
At 7:30 p.m. on the third Friday of October, November, March, April, May and June, HVPI uses the hallowed space to “offer public demonstrations to the community, facilitated by certified psychodramatists,” says Walters. “We’re interested in using what we call ‘action methods’ for working with people for therapeutic purposes, rehabilitation purposes, education, building and developing social connections in the community. There are people who come every month, but we find that participation spikes in times of crisis. After 9/11 the place was packed.”
For a contribution of $8 general admission, $6 for students and those on a limited income, anyone interested in observing how psychodrama works – or even participating in a session – can attend one of these Open Sessions and get involved at whatever level he or she feels comfortable. No acting experience is necessary – “And it’s fun!” promises Walters.
The session begins with a “Warmup” phase involving drama games and exercises, whose purpose is “to create connections between strangers, reduce anxiety and encourage spontaneity,” Walters explains. Next comes the “Action” phase, in which “one person shows his or her story with the help of group members taking on various roles, using psychodramatic techniques such as role reversal and doubling. The goal is to discover blocks to spontaneity and alternative ways of handling challenging situations.” The session ends with a “Sharing” phase, which, says Walters, is “not analysis, nor is it advice-giving. It’s about connecting, sharing how your story connects to my story: finding commonalities either in the narrative or the emotion.”
Walters will serve as the “director” or facilitator of the Open Session this Friday, October 18, whose seasonal theme is “Changes in the Air”: “What helps get us through the long dark night of winter? Deepening our connections with others.” What makes this particular event special is the fact that it’s a fundraiser for Boughton Place’s Theatre Restoration Fund. “The stage is quite old, and needs some repairs,” says Walters. “Our rentals aren’t covering the costs of the needed upgrades.”
It would be a shame indeed if this legendary stage – built for “the man who brought laughter to psychiatry,” saved from a fiery fate and imbued with the emotions of countless human dramas – were allowed to crumble into sawdust. Come check it out, and see exactly how psychodrama works, at this Friday’s Open Session. Boughton Place is located at 150 Kisor Road in Highland. For more information about the Psychodrama Open Sessions, call (845) 255-7502 or e-mail [email protected]. For more on Boughton Place, including rentals of the theatre space, call (845) 691-7578 or visit www.boughtonplace.org.
“Changes in the Air” Psychodrama Open Session, Friday, October 18, 7:30 p.m., $8/$6, Boughton Place, 150 Kisor Road, Highland; (845) 255-7502, [email protected], www.boughtonplace.org.
