The Sound of Words Without a Voice: Unlocking Artistic and Poetic Expression in Playback Theatre

September 19-20th, 2026, Valence, France

Facilitated by Elsa Mauricio Childs (Portugal) and Gerry Orkin (Australia). Sign up: http://place-au-jeu.fr/september. Feel free to reach out with any questions. Looking forward to seeing you there. asso@place-au-jeu.fr

In this weekend workshop we will explore the art of acting on the Playback stage.

Often, Playback actors simply replicate and amplify the actions, facts, thoughts and feelings described by the teller. Those techniques alone rarely deliver a transformative experience. In this workshop, you will learn to respond to stories in more creative, evocative, resonant and aesthetically satisfying ways. You’ll improve your listening skills and, as you play with familiar and new forms, learn to integrate language and movement to go beyond literality to make a more artful and meaningful connection with each story.

Whether you are an experienced practitioner or relatively new to Playback Theatre, this workshop invites you to expand your repertoire, challenge your assumptions, and embrace the potential of more poetic storytelling. Join us in this journey of exploration, discovery, and transformation, where participants will feel free to explore their unique artistic voices.