Psychodrama and Theater: If J. L. Moreno and Tennessee Williams Were to Meet

Abstract

This article seeks to examine the split between psychodrama and theater by looking at two prominent creators in these fields: Jacob Levy Moreno and Tennessee Williams. Surveying their chronology revealed interesting common milestones, and reading about their ideas and guiding principles in their work suggests a deep understanding of their counterpart, in spite of the marked differences between them. Moreno’s psychodramas are never pre-planned, while Williams’ plays are performed by actors who follow a pre-written text. As a psychiatrist, Moreno developed the theory that spontaneity is a precursor to creativity. Thus, he created structured techniques to enhance spontaneity in groups, which were the settings for the enactments. In theater plays, Williams was a spontaneous force who was praised for his creativity as a poetic playwright. His actors followed his own creativity. Sources of creativity are also mentioned, even though these emerged from differing physical, emotional and cultural places. It seems important to trace Moreno’s and Williams’ development into becoming giant creators. That includes sources of inspira-tion and dealing with significant challenges throughout their lives. This article is written by a psychodramatist for the psychodrama community, with the hope that learning about Tennessee Williams and reading his poems, plays and books will enhance our own work. Their ideas about creativity and about its roles in life are surprisingly similar, as if they are meeting in these pages, posthumously.