About me

I am an Australian Playback Theatre practitioner whose involvement with the form began in 1985. I was an actor, conductor and co-director of four successive Canberra Playback Theatre companies over a period of 25 years. More recently I directed a playback company in Wollongong, New South Wales. 

I have a special interest in training conductors, bringing artistry to the stage, and helping companies work with the social and political dimensions of stories and issues of social justice. I have led workshops on those themes in Australia, Singapore, Finland, France, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Greece, Bulgaria, Canada, South Africa, Hong Kong, India, the UK and Portugal. 

Until recently I was a faculty member and board member of the Australasian School of Playback Theatre and I continue to be involved with community building in the region and internationally. As well as training I offer one-on-one and group supervision for practitioners and playback companies who are seeking assistance with practice issues and organisational and group dynamics. 

I have a professional background in social policy and service development. Before retiring in 2020 I worked on issues like homelessness, violence against women and child protection for government and non-government agencies.

Contact me here gerry.orkin@gmail.com.

(Photo by Hajü www.fotoartus.de)