Playback-Theater Zürich performing. Next time: Monday 4 th of December in Theater Stok, Zürich. http://www.playback-theater.ch
Playback Theatre is an original form of improvisational theatre in which audience members tell moments or stories from their lives and then watch them enacted spontaneously on the spot. Playback Theatre was invented in 1975 by Jonathan Fox, Jo Salas and the original company. It is today practiced around the globe in over 50 countries and is performed in many different settings by professional and amateur groups.
How it’s done
Performances are created by a team of actors, a master of ceremony (called the conductor), and a musician. Audience members respond to questions from the conductor, then watch as actors and musician create brief theatre pieces on the spot. Interactive and spontaneous, playback theatre bases its material on the stories that emerge out of the moment from the community. Each Payback Theatre performance is a unique co-creation of actors and audience and its outcome a surprise for everyone.
It is played in theatres, conferences, festive occasions, workshops, and a wide range of educational and organizational settings, Playback Theatre draws people together and allows fresh perspectives. It brings surprise and humor through the magic of improvisation and connection.
How It’s Used
Playback Theatre promotes the right for any voice to be heard. It brings group concerns to the surface, and stimulates a dialogue by making different perspectives visible. The method is extremely flexible, since there is no set play nor stage. Playback Theatre can adapt to the needs of many kinds of groups and organizations: It is used in schools, firms and enterprises, nonprofit organizations, prisons, hospice centres, day treatment centres, at conferences of all kinds, and colleges and universities. it is used on festive occasions such as birthdays, jubilees and weddings
Playback Theatre is also used as a powerfull tool in the following fields: transitional justice, human rights, refugees and immigrants, disaster recovery, climate change, grass root movements, education and political awareness.
How to Experience it
You can watch a performance and/or learn it yourself. Playback Theatre is an exciting, deep and fun experience to do yourself, and more, it develops your skills to be in the present, more calm in front of audiences and trusting your intuition.
If you are interested in a performance or in a training, please contact us. We love to travel and we can offer Playback Theater in english, german, russian, french, italian and spanish. Contact: karin.gisler@playback-theater.ch
Where to see it
Next Performance in Zürich: Monday 4 th of December, 20.00, Theater Stok, Hirschengraben 42, 8001 Zürich.
More info
There are two organizations for international information and networking:
1.The international Playback Theatre Network IPTN, where you can find all the countries where Playback Theatre is practiced as well as a adresses of individual practitioners. http://www.iptn.info
2. For information on a specific application you can also contact the Centre of Playback Theatre, http://www.playbacktheatre.org or a playback theatre company near you.
Walk in Women's Shoes 