Learning a Language of Movement : Laban's Effort Shape Theory Linked to Drama Therapy Practices

Although Laban's effort shape theory has been integrated into education and the field dance movement therapy, it has yet to be linked to the field of dramatherapy. This paper explores the principles of Laban's effort shape theory and presents a language for understanding and qualifying movement. It goes into detailed examples of how the Laban's theory has found its place in the therapeutic domain. Effort shape theory possesses similar fundamental beliefs to that of the drama therapy field, specifically, found in the work of Jones' Core Processes and Sue Jennings' EPR Model. The paper will demonstrate various possibilities for linking Laban's theory to these two dramatherapy techniques, specifically when working with the body in movement. Ideally the reader will understand that by providing a vocabulary of movement to the field of dramatherapy, it might serve as a useful tool for therapists when working with their participants.