What do we need to understand about ourselves and the possibilities and limitations of the playback form in order to work effectively with diverse stories? 

All stories contain echoes of our identity and the social forces that shape us. Hearing those aspects and bringing them to life on stage gives the possibility for Playback to take a more proactive stance in working towards social justice in our divided world.

This two-day workshop will give participants insights and tools that can be applied in company life, in building partnerships, and in performance. Those include techniques for bringing the social dimension of stories to life; awareness of our own layers of bias and identity as performers; and frameworks for building relationships within our companies and with diverse populations. 

While these are no doubt challenging topics, the gift of playback is that we will approach these things in a way that is supportive, playful, connecting, and nourishing! Join facilitators Emily Conolan and Gerry Orkin for an inspiring and meaningful program that will increase your capacity to respond to stories with sensitivity and insight and to honour the experience of others more deeply.

The Trainers

 

Gerry Orkin

I have been involved with playback theatre since the mid-1980s. Between 1989 and 2007 I was a member of four iterations of Canberra Playback Theatre. I founded Wollongong Playback Theatre after moving to New South Wales in 2008. I’ve been teaching playback for over twenty years, to beginners and more experienced practitioners, locally and overseas.

I have a background in social policy and service delivery, particularly in gender-based violence. I’m interested in how playback can be used to explore social issues. Since 2015 I’ve been leading workshops that focus on social identity and the social context of stories. I have facilitated those workshops online and in Hong Kong, the UK, Portugal, India and Australia.

 

Emily Conolan

I am a Playback Theatre trainer, actor and conductor based in Hobart, Tasmania.  I have led a wide range of social theatre projects, and have a background as an author, teacher, and humanitarian activist.  I have been with Hobart Playback for ten years and in that time we have led Playback workshops and shows for many diverse communities. I have trained interstate and internationally, and I currently represent Australia on the board of the International Playback Theatre network.

Co-ordinating Committee

This fourth program is being coordinated by Sara Scrutton (Darwin Playback) Jen Barrkman (Red Thread Stories) Gerry Orkin (ex Canberra and Wollongong Playback) Emily Conolan (Hobart Playback) and Michael Pooley (ex Sydney Playback)