Playback Theatre helps to raise awareness about the realities of injustice and oppression through the amplification of silenced voices and counter-testimonies. The sharing and enactment of personal narratives also enables oppressed populations to define their own sense of self through accounts that describe the richness, complexity, and dignity of their lives. Furthermore, oppressed groups and their allies can use Playback to celebrate triumphs and successes, and for the transmission of important skills, strategies, values and histories within and between communities and movements.
In this 2-day Master Class, we will explore several functions that Playback Theatre can serve within social movements. We will also look at guiding principles and practices that support our work as Playback activists.
In particular, we will explore the following questions:
How can Playback Theatre complement other forms of activism?
What factors should we consider in the design of interventions that carry social and political impact?
What are some of the tensions and challenges we might face as organisers and conductors?
As actors, how best can we enact stories of violence, trauma, oppression and adversity?
Over our weekend together, we will also share and perform stories that explore the impact of social forces on our personal lives. Additionally, Ben Rivers will be presenting about his work in Palestine and the lessons learned from that.
DATES
12 – 13 October 2024
TIMES
10am – 5pm both days
VENUE
Cork School of Music, Cork, Ireland
APPLICATION PROCESS
Submit an application form: https://forms.gle/ZXyxrVyZqQoq7xVC8
If accepted, you will be given a code to register.
Deadline to apply: September 13th
FACILITATOR’S BIO
Benjamin Rivers, PhD, RDT/BCT, APTT is an educator, psychotherapist and applied theatre practitioner. He holds over 20 years of experience in the human services and development sector. He has taught and practiced in Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and North America, working extensively with communities impacted by political violence and collective trauma. Ben holds a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Drama Therapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies, USA, and a PhD in Peace Studies from the University of New England, Australia. His articles on Playback Theatre and Drama Therapy have been published in professional journals around the world. He is a Registered Drama Therapist (RDT) and a Board Certified Trainer (BCT) with the North American Drama Therapy Association. He is also an Accredited Playback Theatre Trainer through the Centre for Playback Theatre, New York. Ben was born in the UK and raised in Australia. He lives and works between Europe, Australia and the
Middle East. For more information, visit www.benjaminrivers.org.
Photo credit: Bryan MacCormack