Playback Theatre is an improvisational participatory theatre form which first started in upstate New York with the original Playback Theatre Company in 1975 and has since then become a worldwide movement with groups and practitioners across the globe. They are active in a wide range of applications... from social services and education, to corporate training and events, to supporting recovery in trauma and crisis contexts, as well as community gatherings and celebrations.
Inviting personal stories from the audience, and re-enacting them with artistry and respect, Playback Theatre has the power to enable dialogue, generate empathy, and build bridges of understanding between people.
Founders of the original Playback Theatre Company who are still teaching and practising Playback Theatre around the world.
The Centre for Playback Theatre was created to support the ethical and artistic development of Playback Theatre worldwide. Created by Jonathan Fox in 1993 as the School of Playback Theatre, it became a non-profit organization in 2006 as CPT offering comprehensive international training, serving as an educational resource, and supporting practitioners through its network of affiliate Schools of Playback Theatre and accredited trainers around the world.
The School of Playback Theatre United Kingdom is affiliated to the Centre for Playback Theatre, and follows its recommended curriculum of training. Our teachers are accredited by the Centre as playback theatre trainers following their Code of Ethics.
IPTN is the International Playback Theatre Network, a place where practitioners at all levels can connect and share their experiences.
Here is a TEDxSIT presentation by Jo Salas about Playback Theatre
Here is an article "Introducing Playback Theatre"
Come HERE for a sampling of the many applications of Playback Theatre in our world today.