In the second half of a Playback Theatre performance, audience participants are invited to share stories arising from the theme and earlier crowd responses. But the complexity and emotional impact of stories told in this phase often present actors a challenge to play back. We know that when we “get” the story (often!), teller and audience respond with deep appreciation. But it’s hard! So this workshop is about “getting” stories more consistently — and unearthing their deeper notes. In the process, we will gain an intimate layered understanding of a rich “story-scape” for ourselves and others, a set of tools that we can apply personally and professionally to be more connected, resilient and effective human beings!
For more information on this exciting new workshop, click here.
I’ve been teaching embodied empathy, Playback Theatre and other forms of improvisation for 20 years now, and each year, the work reveals new and exciting ways to facilitate active learning sequences in which we all discover core elements of creativity and human connection. That happened in a fresh way last spring when we broke down and relearned several forms as if they were games. Even our veteran actors were energized by the new take on old material. I’m excited to do more of that in this workshop series.
But this series is an even more exciting learning curve. First, it’s a unique and sustained investigation of the many layers of story in an embodied improvisational format, and I’m excited to see how the different sessions feed each other. And second, we’ll have other troupe members contributing their own expertise, including Carmen Tisnado, a newer River Crossing member who we’re lucky to have after her retirement from Franklin & Marshall College.
This second intro series, Transforming Stories, begins Saturday, October 5, but the deadline is September 30: click here to register now!
Building on the spring series of the core elements of embodied empathy and Playback Theatre short forms, the fall series offers a new set of tools delving into the mysteries of story.
You’ll get to explore your own stories and those of our community of practitioners in a grounding and supportive space. What makes our stories so unique and powerful? How do we get to the heart of them theatrically? How are our stories transformative? All that in five 3-hour sessions that offer an authentic space for being yourself while connecting with other participants.
Sessions are held at Susquehanna Waldorf School in Marietta, PA (except Oct. 26), from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following schedule:
- Oct. 5 – Body and the Visceral Story
- Oct. 12 – Archetypes and the Personal Hero Story
- Oct. 26 – Serendipity and the Transformative Story (Columbia, PA)
- Nov. 9 – Dialogue and the Interpersonal Story
- Nov. 23 – Change and the Cultural-Political Story
But you need to register to reserve your place by September 30th by signing up with a donation here:
Reach out to us with any questions about this course at team@rivercrossingplayback.org or 717-382-8292.
