Healing York Playback Sampler 2.0 - Community Connections

The workshop digs in to your own stories with the powerful improvisational forms of Playback Theatre.  In Playback, participants tell their own stories and watch them played back on the spot by an ensemble of actors. In this workshop you will have many chances to tell, to act, to watch and to accompany with music. You will have a chance to build community connections, learn listening skills, have fun and much more.  Sampler 2.0 begins the second year of Healing York Playback with a focus on community building through this unique art.

Beginning at 10 AM, we will start with physical warm ups and interactive games that get our whole body moving as we use Playback "short forms" and longer stories to articulate prominent feelings, ideas and experiences.  At lunch, we'll share a meal and stories around our table, leading to a colorful conversation and play around a vision for York and Playback's role in that.  Our focus in Healing York Playback will continue to address race and ethnicity and more generally, experiences of being in the margins and mainstream of our society. We expect all kinds of stories to come out of this process -- heavy and light, struggling and hopeful. It depends on what you bring and share.

This workshop is for all in the greater York area -- and beyond -- who are curious about neighbors' diverse stories and learn an intriguing form of improvisational theatre.  While some experience with Playback is encouraged, you are also welcomed to attend without prior Playback experience provided you register before the event!  We encourage people to join from all ages, ethnic backgrounds, genders, abilities and sexual orientations. Workshop participants from the greater York area may have the option to join the Healing York Playback ensemble as actors or musicians in future performances and workshops.

Leadership is provided by Chris Fitz with other members of Healing York Playback.  Chris is the founder of the project and former director of the Jubilee Troupe, an interfaith traveling ensemble that used improvisational methods to focus on community peacemaking and spirituality.

Your registration includes lunch, snacks, materials and the day's leadership. You bring an open mind, your whole self and comfortable loose-fitting clothes. We ask you to contribute to the workshop at a sliding scale (pay as you're able) of $8 - $20 (pay what you can). Register online through PayPal or send a check payable to "Yorktowne Dance Theatre" to 320 E. Walnut Street, Marietta, PA 17547. For questions, call Chris Fitz at (717) 318-7315.

Register by Friday, October 10 to guarantee space in the workshop.

Driving to William Penn Performing Arts Institute, take South George Street to Princess Street and turn west (toward the Post Office and McDonalds). Parking available after crossing Beaver Street on either side of Princess Street. Entrance is on west side of Beaver Street in the William Penn Sr. High School across from St. Patrick's Church.

Map of 101 S. College Street/242 S. Beaver Street York, PA 

Map to William Penn Performing Arts Institute: Located in the William Penn High School, entrance on Beaver Street across from St. Patrick's School.