Within the scope of the ‘Children in the Lead Project’, carried out by Üsküdar University Health, Culture and Sports (SKS) Department, Haydi Tut Elimi Association and Orphan Foundation, the interactive theater play titled ‘Pufy's Journey ‘Mirror of Information’’ was staged. The play is also a world first due to its innovative and interactive nature, approved by child psychologists and psychiatrists, where children determine the outcome of the play through an innovative method of digital voting. Psychosocial support is aimed with the play.
The aim is to provide psychosocial support to children.
The interactive theater play titled ‘Pufy's Journey ‘Mirror of Information’’ was staged at Üsküdar University Main Campus Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall.
A first in the world!
Within the scope of the social innovation model project in art, the theater play “Mirror of Information - Pufi's Journey” is a world first for being an innovative and interactive theater play approved by child psychologists and psychiatrists, where children determine the outcome of the play through an innovative method of digital voting.
With the project, of which Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan is the Academic Advisor, support is aimed at all socially orphaned children, especially orphans and earthquake victims.
Within the scope of the project, which will also be supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, a pilot screening of the play “Pufi's Journey / Mirror of Information” was held. There was intense interest in the interactive play, written and directed by Serhat Eser, with Cebrail Kalın as assistant director.
The play aims to provide psychosocial support to children using psychodrama and mindfulness (conscious awareness) techniques.
Dr. Nebiye Yaşar: “A project gifted to all children affected by the earthquake”
Üsküdar University Rectorate Project Development Coordinator (PARGE) and Young Brains Academy Application and Research Center (GBA) Director Dr. Nebiye Yaşar, stated in her evaluation that they felt a special excitement for the “Children in the Lead Project”. Dr. Yaşar said, “Dear young people, today we gathered here for many lovely children and for you. In fact, we gathered for a very beautiful project. This project is especially a gift to all children who have experienced earthquake trauma and have been affected by the earthquake to the first, second, and third degree.”
Experts consulted for interactive play scenario
Üsküdar University, Orphan Foundation, Haydi Tut Elimi Association, and all clubs under the umbrella of Üsküdar University SKS came together within the scope of the “Children in the Lead Project”. Experts, psychologists, and psychiatrists were consulted for the scenario of the theater play, staged interactively with the audience's participation to support the well-being of children affected by the earthquake.
The effects of good and evil were explained
In the theater play, watched with appreciation by the audience, the message of how good and evil affect people, and that there is indeed goodness within every person, was conveyed to the audience. The play ‘Pufy's Journey ‘Mirror of Information’’, held within the scope of the ‘Children in the Lead Project’, concluded after group photos were taken.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan: “Psychodramas are a therapy method”
Üsküdar University Founding Rector, psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, made evaluations on how theater positively affects one's psychology and provides permanence in one's memory. Tarhan said; “I hope this work, done with such a beautiful intention, will be written as a project and conclude successfully. The writing of the play and the popularity of the script are important factors. People forget what they hear; even if they understand, they forget again. People only remember what they experience. Theater creates permanence in people by bringing the script to life. Art teaches through experience. With theater, you teach children to be good people and their values through experience. Using such an art in a child's development is a tremendous effort. We also use theatrical methods in our treatments. Psychodramas are a therapy method. Plays have been written for each value.”
