What Does InterPlay Really Offer?
Over the years, we have played with a lot of different ways to "spin" InterPlay. Since it is such a basic and fundamental philosophy/practice and has so many applications, one could run with it in many different directions. And we have.
I think if we want to increase InterPlay' draw, as well as its perceived value, then we should do some brainstorming about what we think are the things that InterPlay has to offer that will be most attractive to the most people (or so attractive to a few people that they will pay well for them!), and then figure out some simple ways to say those things.
So what do you think? What is at the center for you of what InterPlay has to offer the world (or a very specific segment of the "market"!) I'm sure there are many right answers to this question!
posted by Phil Porter, InterPlay Co-founder @ 8:26 PM
3 Comments:
Since I have been living in a new community for the past ten months, and one that has never heard of Interplay, I have been taking every opportunity to introduce people to Interplay. This has meant teaching InterPlay in many different venues, some less familiar to me than others. I believe that in each of these situations, different aspects of what InterPlay has to offer come to the front and become emphasized. This relates to the setting as well as the particpants who show up.
Examples include;
1) Three one hour workshops after the Taize Services in an inner city church. These experiences are an exploration of Play as a Spiritual Discipline using InterPlay.
noticings - seems to help lighten people's persective on spiritual practices and spirituality in general. Could this be what they mean by "enlightenment"?
2) Exploring Creativity through InterPlay - six week series for seniors as part of a lifelong learning program at Carnegie Mellon
noticings - People signed up because they were sick of lectures and wanted something different and one man wanted some ideas for what he might want to do in his future. Seniors have lots of stories and love to tell them to one another in new ways.
3)Kids at Sarah Heinz House (boys and girls club)
noticings - teaching kids how to do stillness has dramatic consequences in their lives as does increasing kid's and adults self confidence to stand in front of others and speak, move and sing.
4) Forming an intergenerational performance troupe using Interplay with kids (9 yrs to 15) and adults.
noticings - Through InterPlay adults get to interact with the kids in a unique way as they come together in a place which feels more like home to children. Children get recognition and respect from adults and the other way around as well. Can change the culture of the agency as adult volunteers and staff get to know the children in a fun creative way.
5)Exploring Creativity with InterPlay for expressive arts therapists
Noticings - InterPlay brings together the usually separate therapies of dance, music, poetry, drama. With its indirect approach, it speaks to a wide range of clients and types of diagnoses. Also very welcomed by therapists to use for their own selfcare.
6)And from my experiences taking Interplay into a Texas Women's prison
Noticings - Affirmation and looking for the good and the art and practice of witnessing become prominent and life changing for participants. These experiences have the potential to change the culture of the prison, and most certainly do for some people.
This experience also helps
InterPlayers realize the role InterPlay can play in serving, what I call,"noble purposes" in our communities and globally.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
i would say that interplay gifts it's participants an experience of interdependence (community, which we are more and more isolated from, especially playfilled community) and independence (witnessing affirming acknowledging the beauty of individuality)
happy independence / interdependence day!
Post a Comment
<< Home