How We Started
River's Edge Playback Theatre was founded in the fall of 2000 by Claire DeCoster. The current troupe is led by Jay McManus.
River's Edge is proud to be the first — and still the only — Playback theatre company in Minnesota.
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 made up of three components: the Performance Company, the Workshop Company, and the Improv Company.
Performance
Company. Consists of a conductor, and 3-5 actors. The conductor
is the facilitator for the performance. Length varies depending on the need,
but is usually 1.5 hours long. See the Events
page for the current schedule.
Workshop Company. Whether you intend to become a performer or not, the five-session Playback Theater Training workshop is an immersion in the art and techniques of the craft.
Improv Company. Improvisation is a skill with applications far beyond performing. The ability to be "in the moment", to trust yourself and those around you, pays big dividends in all areas of life and work. Besides, it's fun!
Playback Theater and You
How could Playback Theatre be useful to 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.
To start a conversation, contact Jay McManus at 651-225-9457. Or send us an email.