by JAY SONG

STICKY
By Elissa Ritson

Babies stare. 

With the intensity of the voyeur they hungrily watch. From their own toes, to clods of earth in the garden, to dogs’ tails, to lost keys; they know everything through their mouths first if allowed to. 

The Onlooker is observing new ways to play. Props and scenes that are fantastic will become familiar, safe, and well practised. Until then, it is enough stimulation to watch. The Onlooker isn’t ready for the social theatre of participation. They haven’t learned the language yet. They would fumble with the lines and blocking. They stare until they become The Solitaire: playing alone. 

Practising. Edging.

Children come to know themselves through both observing and interacting with others. One moves closer to The Other. Being their understudy. They learn the names for feelings, and then they learn the choreography. They are parallel in their discoveries, but do not engage. 

Yet. Until. 

Centre stage: Two Associates take turns with each other. They dress up. They use voices. They know the lines and blocking. The script is on hand if they fumble. The movements and crescendos become familiar and the connection to their roles deepens. 

Expanding possibilities.

The script is on the floor. The Co-Operative negotiates the construction of each scene from the inside out. Character becomes imperative. Roles are swapped with a glance, or by speaking a name. Boundaries are laid, and laid again.

Imagining more. 

Play is a space where ‘sticky learning’ takes place: functional and transferable learning of underlying mechanics, rather than surface level information. The self-rewarding system of dopamine production encourages repetition, forming new neural pathways. Pleasure literally changes the brain as imagination surpasses the limits of knowledge.

Their command of their tools, and their engagement with their craft allows them to explore new characters. They join group productions. They trust themselves to make improvisational choices as well as running their own familiar scenes. 

Sometimes they still play alone. 

Or watch.