How We Started
River's Edge Playback Theatre was founded in the fall of 2000 by Claire DeCoster. Claire first experienced Playback in 1989 in Chicago, where she worked as an actor. “It was a magical experience to be a Teller for the first time. I will never forget the sensation of seeing this important moment in my life played back. The actors embraced the story with a gusto and depth that surprised me. I was not alone with the moment anymore. It was part of the public domain - I realized that could forgive myself.”
In 1993, Claire started formal Playback training, and has completed Conductor training at the School of Playback Theatre at Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York.
What We Do
River's Edge Mission
River's Edge Playback Theatre draws on the power of spontaneous creativity to share and celebrate humanity's collective experience and, through story, promote personal and social empowerment.
River's Edge is proud to be the first Playback theatre company in Minnesota, and sad to be the only Playback company in Minnesota. So, we devote our time to sharing Playback with as many people as possible. We hope to support and collaborate with community ensembles all over Minnesota!
Open Community Workshops are held regularly. You are invited to come and participate. Go to Events page to see more details. Cost is $5 per session to cover expenses.
Playback Trainings are offered periodically on specific topics by local and guest trainers. Go to Events page to see more details. Cost varies.
River’s Edge Community Ensembles are being developed to do Playback and other devised theater work with a wide range of groups. Community Ensembles lead interactive workshops and give community and public performances.
A Playback Performance is made up of five to seven performers: conductor, 3-5 actors and musician(s). The conductor is the facilitator for the workshop or performance. Performance lengths vary depending on the needs of the community, but usually are 1-1/2 hours long.
How can Playback Theatre be useful for your organization or community? Performances and workshops can be theme-based and are designed to offer creative and vibrant ways to explore issues. Possible themes: Leadership, Community Building, Celebration, Diversity, Loss, Stress and Conflict, Serious Illness/Healing, Power and Powerlessness, Love, and Transition.
Where is Playback done? In senior homes, community centers, group homes, schools, hospitals, businesses, shelters, prisons, theatres, conferences, union meetings, festivals; wherever there are people with stories, Playback can be done!
Collaborations
River's Edge Playback Theatre seeks to collaborate with other arts organizations to explore and expand aesthetic potentials. Please contact us for more information at 651-917-1976. info@riversedgeplayback.org.
Actors/Audience
River's Edge is interested in sharing this form with as many people as possible. If you are interested in learning more about Playback Theatre, please contact us: Phone 651-917-1976 or Email info@riversedgeplayback.org.
Contact Us
River's Edge Playback Theater
P.O. Box 6196
Minneapolis, MN 55406
Tel: 651-917-1976
Email:info@riversedgeplayback.org