| This literary analysis and social action project presents the most recent developments in the utilization of creative drama with children. The analysis builds upon earlier scholarship, explores new theories in the field, and examines existing narratives related to the effectiveness of creative drama in the transformation of its participants. This work illustrates how creative drama, when used with socially deprived children under the direction of trained leaders outside the classroom in a structured, informal setting, which emphasizes play as a powerful way to learn, strengthens a child's self concept and increases self esteem.;Testing revealed how this natural pedagogy, which honors the individual experience and preserves the child's essential freedom to play, to wonder, to experiment and to invent, allowed children to flourish and to become stable and successful. This theory was applied to a group of children in a creative drama program. Assessment tools were used to demonstrate that at risk children, when given a safe place to express their feelings and receive affirmation and encouragement, realized their own potential and learned to develop viable alternatives and positive attitudes.;Through the magic of theatre, using the techniques of creative drama, children displayed creativity, developed self esteem and learned cooperation and responsibility. These results let to the creation of a child-centered, play-based program that nurtures children's creative expression in all its forms and the development of a handbook to enable others to replicate this program in their communities. |
