A living archive

About dramatherapy.net

Dramatherapy.net brings together the work, ideas, experiments and adventures of Sue Jennings and her son Andy Hickson. It is a growing collection of photographs, publications, theatre productions, films, research, memories and creative projects, gathered across many decades and many parts of the world.

At its heart is a shared fascination with what happens when people play, perform, imagine, communicate and discover something new about themselves and each other.

Sue Jennings and Andy Hickson with their friend Colin Nicholas, photographed together by bookshelves
Sue and Andy with their long-term friend Colin Nicholas, a supporter of Orang Asli communities. Photograph: Lilli.

Shared experiences

Two journeys, many connections

Sue and Andy have followed different but interconnected paths through dramatherapy, theatre, play, education, anthropology and social action. Their work has taken them into schools, hospitals, prisons, universities, communities, theatres and forests, sometimes together, sometimes independently, and often alongside remarkable people who have contributed their own imagination and experience.

Their relationship with Temiar communities in Malaysia has been especially important, shaping ideas, friendships and collaborations that continue today.

Throughout these journeys, curiosity, experimentation and a willingness to try something different have remained central.

Still unfolding

An archive that keeps growing

This website brings together material from personal collections, older websites, published work, photographs, programmes, correspondence and archives that are gradually being rediscovered.

Some things are carefully documented. Others open unexpected doors into forgotten performances, unusual projects, old friendships and ideas worth exploring again.

The collection will continue to grow as more material is recovered, researched and prepared for sharing. It is as much about the people, relationships and experiences behind the work as it is about the finished publications and productions.

Find your own way

Follow your curiosity

There are many ways to explore dramatherapy.net. You might follow Sue's work in dramatherapy and play, discover Andy's theatre and Social Theatre projects, explore their collaborations, browse the archives or find a book, film or performance you never knew existed.

You can search for something specific or simply choose Surprise me and see where the archive takes you.

There is no single route through this collection. Follow an idea, a photograph, a person or a story. See where it leads.