Psychological Theatre

About the project

How the idea began

Sometimes it feels as though different voices are speaking within us. One brings up fears, worries and possible consequences: “What if it doesn’t work out?”, “Maybe it’s better not to change anything?” Another speaks of our wishes: to try something new, start studying, change jobs, build a relationship or allow ourselves some rest.

These inner positions can exist at the same time. We want change — and we need to feel safe. We want closeness — and we fear disappointment. Each side may express something that matters to us.

When this conversation takes place only in our thoughts, it can be hard to distinguish what is holding us back, what we want and what we are trying to preserve. This is how the idea of Psychological Theatre began: to give different sides of an experience characters and a chance to speak.

Two puppets act out familiar inner contradictions. Watching their conversation from the outside, we may notice lines that resonate with us, distinguish our own thoughts and feelings more clearly, and reflect on which position feels stronger right now.

There is no need to choose a winner or look for the right answer. First comes a complete scene. Then three optional questions offer a moment to pause and listen to our own response.

Psychological foundations

The project’s concept echoes dialogue techniques used in psychotherapy, including the “two-chair” technique, in which different inner positions have a chance to speak. It also shares an interest in observing thoughts from the outside, as practised in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy — ACT.

Psychological Theatre is an original educational project for personal reflection. It does not reproduce a complete therapeutic method; the effectiveness of these particular scenes has not been studied separately.

Sources

Two sides of a conversation

Blue puppet

In this scene, he speaks about safety, familiar life and the fear of uncertainty.

Red puppet

In this scene, she speaks about change, new possibilities and the fear of standing still.