The educators behind 222 Drama Games
Practice built in classrooms, workshops and theatre processes
Sonja Leštar and Maja Grgić are drama educators and theatre practitioners from Novi Sad, Serbia. Their work brings together acting, directing, applied theatre, forum theatre, psychodrama-informed practice and more than two decades of hands-on work with children, young people and adults.
They created 222 Drama Games and the 30-Day Participation System to help teachers and facilitators choose activities by what a group needs next, rather than relying on random icebreakers or forcing participation before people feel ready.
Actress · Drama pedagogue · Applied theatre facilitator
Sonja Leštar
Sonja has worked in drama education since 2004, leading drama-based learning processes, theatre workshops, participatory projects and performances in formal and informal education.
She studied acting at the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad and completed a master’s degree in applied theatre. Her practice combines acting, drama pedagogy, forum theatre, group facilitation and work with participants who enter a room with different levels of confidence, communication and readiness.
Her public professional record includes long-term work with the Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing of Novi Sad, drama practice with Mala srećna kolonija, forum-theatre workshops, and training teachers and students in a UNICEF-supported violence-prevention project. She also teaches performing arts at the Laza Kostić Gymnasium in Novi Sad and has worked as an actress, director and audio-visual artist.
Sonja’s work focuses on
- applied theatre and forum theatre
- psychological safety and gradual participation
- drama-based learning with children, youth and adults
- facilitating groups with mixed confidence and communication styles
- turning practical exercises into meaningful group processes
Director · Drama pedagogue · Psychodrama counsellor in training
Maja Grgić
Maja is a director and drama pedagogue who uses theatre as a practical tool for learning, communication, personal development and the exploration of contemporary social issues.
She graduated in directing from the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad. Her work spans theatre for children and adults, youth theatre, musicals, opera, documentary film, radio drama and participatory projects. A significant part of her career has been dedicated to creating work with and for young people.
Maja has led drama and psychodrama workshops with young people and adults, and her productions have been presented in Serbia and internationally. She is a co-founder of the Drž’ ne daj theatre company and is continuing her education as a psychodrama counsellor.
Maja’s work focuses on
- directing and structuring group processes
- drama and psychodrama workshops
- youth work and participatory theatre
- communication, reflection and social awareness
- adapting creative work to a group’s rhythm and emotional readiness
Created for real teaching and facilitation
The activities on Drama Games are drawn from practical theatre and educational work. They are designed for teachers, drama educators, youth workers, workshop leaders, trainers and facilitators who need exercises they can understand, adapt and run in a real room.
Independent professional references
These public profiles and project records provide additional information about Sonja and Maja’s education, theatre work and drama-pedagogy experience.