PP,

I was a member of the Hudson River Playback Theatre company with Jo Salas for about a year. I had a great experience performing with them, and it really turned me on to improv theatre and audience participation. I am currently involved in a project in Seattle that is very similar to Playback, but uses tarot cards and tarot readings as the basis of performance.

Playback is a special kind of improvisational theatre developed by Jonathan Fox and company in New Paltz, NY during the 70's. Since then, a school has developed and many diverse Playback companies have sprouted up all over the world, each with their own unique style.

In Playback, an audience member comes up on stage and tells a real story from their own life experience. Then the actors act out the story. The theatre setting is intimate and minimalistic. Usually the actors are close to the audience and on the same level, and use only a few boxes and pieces of fabric for props.

Playback helps people to connect with each other and find expression through community. Playback can help a group of people to see different sides of a story, as well as help individuals to see their own stories in new light. It is often used for mediation and group healing. It is therapeutic, transformational, and entertaining!

Dr. Boom