What Is Playback Theatre?
Playback Theatre, in which audience members tell personal stories and watch as a team of actors re-enact the stories, was developed by Jonathan Fox and the original Playback theatre troupe in the mid seventies. Playback theatre is now done in over 40 countries by hundreds of companies.

This form of theatre is both healing and empowering and is used in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings including prisons, schools, mental health settings, corporations, and is performed in open audience performance. Stories can range from funny, sad, hurt, or curious. In Playback all stories are accepted. Recently, Playback has been used to heal the pain remaining after warfare and genocide and to support stories of healing.

From performances at First Night celebrations, to open audience performance to themed performances such as healing from the effects of war, Vermont Playback Theatre can offer insight into memory and dreams, resolution, of conflicts, and a deeper understanding of life events. Playback theatre allows both the teller of a story and the audiences the opportunity to relive memories be they happy, sad, or funny.

The result is often a deeper sense of community, and a sense that “My” story is really “Our” story. Many of you have seen Playback performed and have witnessed the power and magic of Playback Theatre. The vision of Playback Theatre is to enable communities of all kinds to come together in a way that creates community. Today, we witness a world beset by war, strife, and extremes of poverty and wealth. These conditions take a toll on individuals and cultures. Creative forms such as Playback Theatre are important as they help us recognize the deeper and empowering spirit that brings people together.

If you want more information, to join or book a workshop, or performance please call 802-860-6203 or email:vtplayback@hotmail.com.