Theatre and professional training: The Trame method

Abstract

Abstract The article presents the method called Trame, a method designed for the professional training of doctors, nurses and social workers. The method makes the theoretical reflection of the pedagogical directors of the twentieth century dialogue with a more specifically pedagogical and sociological literature that distances itself from cognitive learning models and conceives learning as a situated and collective activity; it interfaces with Dewey (1961) and, at the same time, with pedagogical approaches that thematise theatre as an educational device (Massa, R. (eds.) (1992) La Clinica Della Formazione, Milano, Italy, Franco Angeli). It also focuses on the role that the body plays in learning processes. Theatre is done with the body and it is precisely starting from the centrality of the body that theatrical practices can ‘push’ training practices towards an overcoming of the mind/body dichotomy and a clearer focus on the intertwining between performance and training. In this perspective, Trame is configured as a method that aims to train the ‘knowledge of’ the body to develop self-awareness and reflexivity on one’s professional action.