The Power of Story
For thousands of years, we humans have gathered together to share stories.
Stories of our lives.
Stories honoring powers greater than our own.
Stories carrying the experience and wisdom of our tribe through the generations.
We offer our accounts of what has happened — and wonder what it all might mean.
The Magic of Playback Theater
Playback Theater is a form of improvisation in which people share stories from their lives — amusing, sad, silly or profound. And a group of actors bring the heart of the story to life. On the spot.
It’s where theater meets storytelling … and forms community.
The Magic of Playback
"When it works, which is 90 percent of the time,
Playback Theatre creates an intense burst of mysterious, lovely, life-affirming
human energy."
- Jaime Meyer, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Playback in Action
Someone offers to share a story. Then, the storyteller select one of the actors to play himself or herself — and other actors to play the rest of the story's characters. Without a word, the actors gather in a circle to join hands ... and the story begins.
Simple props such as wooden boxes, colorful pieces of cloth, and basic musical instruments are woven into the action spontaneously.
Unlike traditional comedy improv, playback theater isn't performed strictly for laughs. The focus is on illuminating the essence or heart of the story. For many people, playback theater offers the opportunity to see an old story in a fresh way. Reframing it, perhaps, with a new perspective.
A Worldwide Phenomenon
From its origins in upstate New York in 1975 , Playback Theatre is now performed on seven continents in more than 50 countries. In Finland , for example, 13 nationally subsidized professional Playback companies work in prisons, schools, hospitals, senior homes, public theatres, corporations, and on the streets.
Click Here to See Specific Examples ... or View Other Playback Websites
Opportunities for Playback
In senior homes, community centers, grouphomes, schools, hospitals, businesses, shelters, prisons, theatres, conferences, union meetings, festivals; wherever there are people with stories, Playback can be done!
Curious? Contact Jay McManus at 651-225-9457. Or send us an email.