In teaching Drama, I can see two Instructional models that seem to be useful. The first is the Constructivist theory by J. Bruner. This theory makes use of learning by discovery which is the very basis of learning to act. You must discover what characteristics of your own personality. emotional history, relationships and experiences are similar to the character and where do you differ. Bruner’s method is described as: “inquiry-based, constructivist learning theory that takes place in problem solving situations where the learner draws on his or her own past experience and existing knowledge to discover facts and relationships and new truths to be learned”. The problem to be solved is how do I create this character into a living person?

The second method of Instructional Design that seems appropriate to me is John B. Black and Robert O. McClintock, with their methodology of Observation, Contextualization, Cognitive Apprenticeship, Collaboration, Interpretive Construction, Multiple Interpretations, and Multiple Manifestations. The very essence of Drama is Collaboration and Interpretation.

Both of these models center on the use of experience as a component of the learning. That is in essence what a rehearsal is. You continuously re-experience the material adding layers of interpretation. The teacher is the facilitator to the student’s learning by asking questions, pointing out results and encouraging discovery and exploration.

Some parts of the Black and McClintock model would be most useful for studying text of plays that are not going to be produced as a public performance. It is very important to not encourage young actors to imitate the performances of other actors. Whereas the Bruner model, would be more helpful in studying acting in terms of forming an interpretation that is solely personal., which is the goal of an actor creating a role in a production.

The learners I often deal with are a diverse group. They range from the extremely interested and motivated to the captured non-student. What is remarkable about their diversity is they all have creative skills which can be tapped into. Many of my students come from stressed financial situations and have had few opportunities to see or be in plays. The great common denominator is that they have all seen movies and television. Many of my students are motivated to pass the class, some are motivated to learn the craft and still others are in the class because they have to be. The last group needs to be motivated through their innate creativity and desire for play. One of the most difficult societal factors to overcome is the perception that drama is “gay”. This label inhibits many learners and limits enthusiasm to within the classroom walls.