Theater has never been closer. Theater pedagogy — a contemporary model of theater education

The movement of theater pedagogy has been present in polish practice for a couple years. Through efforts of institutions like The Theater Institute in Warsaw or Theater Pedagogues’ Association, it is possible to observe the development and gradual change of approach towards the form of contact with theater. The aim of this article is to present the theater pedagogy as an interdisciplinary area of research combining both artistic and educational practices, including its sources, domestic history and basic premises. Through references to ideas of aesthetic upbringing and pointing out differences between traditional theater education and theater pedagogy, one can define it and understand its phenomenon. Additionally, it is important to underline the potential in activities being conducted according to rules of theater pedagogy.

The article is an excerpt of bachelor’s thesis The use of theater pedagogy in stimulating children’s creativity, based on the research conducted in the private preschool “Kangurowe Przedszkole” in Cracow written by Aleksandra Denkowicz in 2020 under the tutorage of Michał Głażewski, Hab. PhD, Professor of The Pedagogical University of Cracow.

Keywords: arts education, art, theater, theater pedagogy

The movement of theater pedagogy has been present in polish practice for a couple years. Through efforts of institutions like The Theater Institute in Warsaw or Theater Pedagogues’ Association, it is possible to observe the development and gradual change of approach towards the form of contact with theater. The aim of this article is to present the theater pedagogy as an interdisciplinary area of research combining both artistic and educational practices, including its sources, domestic history and basic premises. Through references to ideas of aesthetic upbringing and pointing out differences between traditional theater education and theater pedagogy, one can define it and understand its phenomenon. Additionally, it is important to underline the potential in activities being conducted according to rules of theater pedagogy.

The article is an excerpt of bachelor’s thesis The use of theater pedagogy in stimulating children’s creativity, based on the research conducted in the private preschool “Kangurowe Przedszkole” in Cracow written by Aleksandra Denkowicz in 2020 under the tutorage of Michał Głażewski, Hab. PhD, Professor of The Pedagogical University of Cracow.