“Traumao” is a card game (currently in prototype form) that allows players to confront difficult experiences from their teenage years in a light-hearted atmosphere. By “traumas”, we simply mean negative experiences. We don’t want to dismiss what happened, but rather to defuse it through laughter, conversation and a sense of community. We want to revisit those experiences, look at them from a new perspective and give ourselves the chance to say, “Really? You too?” 

We do not propose group therapy without authorisation, which is why we have chosen not to include experiences that are particularly difficult for us on the cards. We invite participants to ‘get rid of their traumas’ without delving into deep layers of emotion. 

We have divided the game into two stages – the first is more playful and relaxed in nature, whilst the second allows for deeper reflection and honest conversation on selected topics concerning what we faced during our teenage years and what young people are struggling with now.

When devising the game, we had teenagers in mind, but we are directing it at mixed-age groups. We imagine that the game can bridge generations. Sharing experiences can bring people closer together, and conversation can enrich players with diverse perspectives. 

We treat our game with new players as a test and an opportunity to gather feedback.

The project was created as part of the ‘Theatre Pedagogy’ course taught at the Faculty of Directing and Dramaturgy at the Academy of Theatre Arts in Krakow under the supervision of Justyna Sobczyk.