The processes involved in drama and the dramatic play of children are essentially the same in that they rely on an imitation of nature, involve a transformation of reality through imagination, connect seemingly irrelevant elements creatively, and bring a temporary, limited order to an emotional experience. When child's play is used as a basis for the education of children or as a starting point for mature creative work, it is essential that its complexity remain intact and that it not be decoded or oversimplified. For students and practitioners of theatre and drama to express themselves creatively, it is not enough to use the techniques of playing; they must recover, value, and exercise their own innate mental playfulness. (A bibliography of books and articles on play is included.) (MAI)