Let's gather for... Strengthening the Circle(s)!

Join us at the beautiful Deer Park Camp natural sanctuary in New Hope, Pennsylvania for a day of play, connection, and reflection as we celebrate the 50th birthday of the Playback Theater form and community. The Playback Collaborative US and sponsoring Playback companies are thrilled to host this year’s US Playback regional gathering on the theme: Strengthening the Circle(s).

Our Gathering goals, through workshops, dialogue, and performance, include:

Nourish our Playback Theater community and practice
Embrace our diversity and extend our equity
Reimagine our future together

The weekend is designed to share in the ritual of Playback where our human experience is held, to hone the Playback craft of improvisational performance, and to build relationships and affinity support in the Playback community as we support each other in the work of social justice and human rights.

If you have prior Playback experience or a specific interest in the Playback form, bring your experience and desires to cultivate the Playback Theater community!

Let's celebrate 50 years of Playback Theatre, deepen our learnings and imagine what's still to come!

The Day’s Outline includes (subject to change):

9:00 AM Doors open for Connection, Drop-In Warm-Ups and Jams (as led)
10:00 AM Opening the Circle with Will C* (full start!)
11:00 AM Affinity Groups Support Work & Share-Out
12:30 PM Catered Lunch Provided
1:30 PM Community Song/Drum/Movement
2:00 PM Interactive Breakout Workshops:
- Building a Scene with Music (Ron Kravitz & AJ Khaw)
- New Forms Jam (Sarah Halley & Bianca Adger)
- Playback Acting and the Long Story Form (Randy Mulder)
- Movement and Contact in Playback (Lauren Sky & Andrea Jacobs)
3:45 PM Harvesting Our Stories with Playback Theatre
5:15 PM Closing, Sending and Cleaning
6:00 PM Parting (full stop!) and After-Parting?

* Lead facilitator Will C is a Boston-based facilitator of personal, communal, and professional development, known for his poetry, performance and leadership with the Centre for Playback Theatre and various International Playback Theatre Network conferences.

What are you waiting for? Jump In and Register! -->

(If you’re a member of a Sponsor Company, see your troupe contact for a company partner discount through October 10)

What your registration goes toward:

A beautiful woodland retreat with plentiful, large gathering spaces
Website and registration hosting and communications costs
Morning beverages, snacks and a catered lunch
Organizational costs like insurance and taxes
Transportation and costs for special guests (to be announced!)
Registration waived for those giving ~10+ hours toward organizing and outreach
Partial pay-back for last year’s gathering expenses
Partial pay-forward for a deposit for a 2026 gathering!
Investment in a priceless experience with your Playback Theatre community

The weekend is designed to share in the ritual of Playback where our human experience is held, to hone the Playback craft of improvisational performance, and to connect the Playback community through relationship-building and affinity groups as we hold ourselves accountable to the work of social justice and human rights.

Friday or Saturday Sleepover?

A number of friends have asked about overnight accommodations. We are seeking to support those coming from far away by coordinating and connecting them with others seeking accommodations, while you're also encouraged to search for accommodation independently. To coordinate with other playbackers, contact tat.stepanov@gmail.com.

New: Playback Childcare!

We are thrilled to offer childcare for a limited number of children and youth. We anticipate the cost to be approximately $75 for the day including catered lunch and trained supervision. We anticipate that your kids will be adept in at least three short forms by the day's end. ;-) To qualify, you must contact Andrea at andreamj09@gmail.com by Saturday, October 18th!

The 2025 Organizing Team:

Andrea Jacobs
Carmen Tisnado
Chris Fitz
Elaine Molinaro
Lauren Sky
Mario Palma
Olga Sanachina
Pamela Freeman
Sarah Halley
Tatiana Stepova

With sponsoring Playback Theatre companies:

Hosted by Playback Collaborative US, dedicated to creating spaces that develop the Playback Theatre community, practices, artistry and social change impact.

See you at Deer Park… Let's Watch!

2025 Playback Theatre US East Regional Gathering

Choose your tickets

Sponsor Rate - Supporting another person with financial need to attend ticket

General Rate - Supporting estimated costs of the event ticket

Discount Rate - Sponsored rate for those with financial need ticket

Donations

Donate to support additional participants from diverse backgrounds