Playback Theatre Workshop + Performance
Date(s)
- November 23, 2019 | 10:00 am
Venue
Firehouse TheatrePlayback Theatre
Workshop + Performance
Sat, Nov 23 @ 10am + 2pm
Workshop: $30
Performance: $10 adv / $15 day of
Playback is a theatre form where actors and musicians bring to the stage true stories and story fragments that come from the audience. Playback uses many forms during one show and each one is designed to bring out important elements of each story. In one form, someone in the audience shares a story from their life, chooses the actors to play the different roles, and then all those present watch the enactment, as the story “comes to life” with musical accompaniment. At the end, the teller lets us know if we captured the essence of their story. Playback is a beautiful intersection between theatre, storytelling, and improv. In addition to being a form of entertainment, playback has been used in educational, therapeutic and business settings, as well as to address social justice issues and deal with the aftermath of tragic events. Come to Playback prepared to laugh, be moved, and to hear and share our common stories and experiences.
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This time, we are offering a workshop in conjunction with our upcoming show!
THE WORKSHOP, 10am-1pm:
This workshop is for beginners in improvisation as well as experienced performers. Playback actors listen to a story, respond immediately and work together as a group to bring that story to life. Interestingly, since we’ve all just heard the story, the company gets to do a deeper dive and find the hopes and dreams that are embedded in the story. Part of the magic is that the actors learn to do this without planning and talking about it. Playback also presents a noble challenge to the actor because the because the playwright is in the room. We draw on our generosity and empathy as well as our expressive skills. We’ll emphasize listening more skillfully, developing our spontaneity and apply that to, and practice, three Playback forms. There is much joy in this work. We will pursuit that together. Instructors: Deborah Arenstein, Larry Goldstein and Boomie Pedersen.