31 August - 1 September 2024, Helsinki
The playback community is focussed more than ever on the topic of social justice. Passionate conversations are happening on- and offline about whether we can make a meaningful contribution to that issue, and if so, how. In this workshop we will think together about the implications of those conversations for our purpose and our practice.
In doing so we'll focus on the intersection of biography and history in the stories we hear, explore the social contexts of our own lives, and experiment with ways to use our sociological imaginations to bring the social dimensions of stories to life on the stage in safe, appropriate and satisfying ways.
While those are challenging topics, the gift of Playback is that we can approach this work in ways that are supportive, playful, connecting, and nourishing!
For more information and to register email Päivi Rahmel.
Gerry is an Australian playback practitioner whose involvement with Playback Theatre began in 1985. He was an actor, conductor and co-director of Canberra Playback Theatre over a period of 25 years. More recently he directed a Playback company in Wollongong, New South Wales.
Gerry has a special interest in training conductors, bringing artistry to the stage, and helping companies work with the social dimensions of stories and issues of social justice. He has led workshops in Australia, Singapore, Greece, Canada, South Africa, Hong Kong, India, the UK and Portugal.
Gerry is a faculty member and board member of the Australasian School of Playback Theatre and is involved with community building in the region as well as internationally. He has a professional background in social policy and service development, and has worked on issues like homelessness, violence against women and child protection for government and non-government agencies.