Workshops
Rich has used drama with groups in every age group from nursery school to retirement centers. He has also worked with people at every level of experience from beginner to college student to professional. Here is a representative list of some of the workshops he can bring to your group:

Enacted Prayer: Based in sociodrama, enacted prayer is simply praying with movement rather than words. Rich has taught the prayer form all over the world, and has found that it gives people a more clear prayer direction, gets people excited about praying, and is often answered dramatically.

For more about enacted prayer click here.

Sociodrama: This dynamic technique can be used on its own or in conjunction with any of Rich's plays or presentations. Rich leads groups in an exploration of a theme which the group helps define. Individuals act out the theme in a specific scenario. Rich uses several techniques to direct the action in ways which explore the theme most valuably. Once the action is completed, Rich leads a discussion of what was learned through the process. Rich's masters thesis was based on a sociodrama program he taught.

For sociodrama resources click here.

Sociodrama for Playwrights: Plots and dialogue can be created and reworked using this technique. The author can see the characters moving, hear them talking, and even know their thoughts, and then take that back to the keyboard. Attendees are encouraged to take what was discovered in the workshop and use it as a springboard for their own work.

Sociodrama for Actors and Directors: Though non-actors can benefit greatly from sociodrama, it can be a very powerful tool to help directors help actors. Scenes which are referred to, but not seen in plays can be brought to life through sociodrama, so that the actors actually have a memory of what they're describing in the play. The emotions of characters can be explored in ways that are helpful to everyone involved.

The Physical Actor: Rich has been described as "the converted version of Jim Carrey." Rich has developed a workshop in which he teaches how to develop a character from head to toe. This is Rich's most popular workshop.

Writing for Stage and/or Screen: Rich has written a majority of the plays that he performs around the world. In his workshops he shares insights he's learned from his own work and from those who taught him: Tina Howe (nominated for the Tony, the OBIE, and twice for the Pulitzer Prize,), Jerome Coopersmith (Hawaii 5-0, American Christmas Carol), Eric Bentley (Chief Translator for Bertolt Brecht), Lee and Janet Batchler (Batman Forever, Smoke and Mirrors), and Sean Gaffney (Veggie Tales).

Sociodrama for Sunday Morning: Because of the flexible nature of sociodrama, it can be used in the Sunday morning service to explore the chosen scripture dramatically and then live out the principles found in the text in a modern scenario. For churches open to this kind of "sermon" the results can be profound and literally life-transformational. In the scripture exploration section members of the congregation (or workshop) come to the stage to step into the roles of the people in the text. The director interviews them and some dialogue takes place, where appropriate. It is not at all an attempt to rewrite scripture but rather a technique whereby the feelings and emotions behind the text can be explored and experienced. In taking the application into the here-and-now the participants create a scene based on the themes of the scripture to which they've been warmed up. People go away with a better understanding of the scripture and how to apply it to their own lives.

Bibliodrama: Participants take a passage of scripture and, using improvisational sociodrama techniques, bring the ancient words to life. It's an exciting way to study the Bible because it puts readers in the sandals of the characters and invites them to share their feelings about what's going on. The technique has been used by Christian and Jewish groups in America and Europe since the early 1980's, and has helped bring numerous people into a closer connection with scripture.


If there is something specific you'd like Rich to address for your group and it isn't listed here, he'd be glad to come up with something that fits the bill.