drama triangle: an effective tool for acting, writing & directing

While the drama triangle is more known as a self-awareness tool in life & therapy, it’s also a wonderful building block, psychologically speaking, for scene work as an actor, writer, or director. Here’s the concept first described by Stephen Karpman in the 1960s:

Dysfunctional social interactions can be broken down into a triangular power circle involving three roles:

1. Victim

2. Rescuer

3. Persecutor

Escaping the drama triangle involves shifting the above three roles into a more mature framework:

1. Creator

2. Coach

3. Challenger

The concept of moving from one role to another in the drama triangle (for example, victim to creator) could be an entire arc of a film or episode, or a nuanced aspect within your character's arc. The possibilities are endless, relationship dynamics can be profound when utilizing this simple framework.

A graphic that beautifully explains the drama triangle can be found HERE.

Finding intersections of philosophy and pragmatism that expand screen artistry is my jam. Art is life.