PROMOTING SELF-AWARENESS AND ROLE ELABORATION: USING REPERTORY GRIDS TO FACILITATE THEATRICAL CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Repertory grid techniques have had unique and novel applications in a variety of settings. This article reports on the use of the repertory grid with a group of adolescent high school drama students involved in a theater production of The Boys Next Door by Tom Griffin. Repertory grids were completed across three time periods to achieve three separate objectives: (1) exploring the relationship between the self and the character role, (2) promoting sociality among cast members and important character relationships, and (3) investigating similarities/differences in cast members’ constructions of each other as characters versus as actors. Qualitative examples as well as illustrative repertory grid patterns will be discussed regarding each objective. Analogue implications for promotion of individual self-awareness and constructivist applications are also reviewed.