Playback Theater is an original form of improvisational theater in which audience or group members tell stories from their lives and watch them enacted on the spot.
Used in a variety of settings, Playback Theater provides highly enjoyable theater and promotes dialogue between different voices as audience members have the opportunity to speak and see their stories embodied on the stage.
We discover who we are by telling our stories and, as others bear witness and tell their own stories in response, a deep and empathy-building conversation is created through the collective stories brought to the stage.
Contact us for more info, to join an open rehearsal, or to discuss how we could bring a playback workshop or performance to your school or event.
NYC Queer Playback Ensemble
Noha Arafa
Dawei Chen
Arlen Kerndt
Jamie Roach
Debra Walsh
Courtney J. Boddie
Shan Y. Chuang
Shlomit Oren
David Brandon Ross
Francis Wei
Marc Brudzinski
Mountaine Jonas
Chris Panzica
Rick Sanford
Michael Zaiontz
Founded in 2016, NYC Queer Playback Theater aims to forge connection in the LGBTQ+ community, whether participants identify within the community or as an ally, by creating a safe and diverse space for personal growth through Playback. We welcome anyone who is interested to drop in for an open rehearsal and have seen that through the power of Playback a stronger and braver community is built.
The LGBTQIA+ community is hugely diverse, which is one of its biggest assets. Playback allows its participants to reach across differences of sexual identity, gender identity and expression, race, age, country of origin, and language by providing a rare and rich chance to be vulnerable with each other’s stories while learning the true feelings and experiences of this dynamic Community. As the many perspectives and identities are better understood, the ever-evolving Queer community is strengthened.
Performance artwork by Marc Brudzinski and Allison Yang