Melbourne Playback presents Status Quo: Playback Theatre about the State of Things

Melbourne Playback Theatre presents

STATUS QUO - The State of Things

Brunswick Mechanics Institute | 28-29 August 2026

A unique season of live events exploring how we navigate a world in flux.

Each evening begins with a conversation featuring guest speakers, followed by a Melbourne Playback Theatre performance where the audience's stories become the heart of the show. Together, we'll listen, reflect and discover what "the state of things" means to us, right now.

Friday 28 August | 7:00pm–9:00pm

Growing Up, Being Seen, Belonging

An evening exploring the lived experiences of trans and gender-diverse young people, and the role we all play in creating communities where everyone can flourish.

Guest Speakers

• Ez Toochi Lowes (Transgender Victoria) - LGBTQIA+ advocate, educator and community leader.

• Hayden Williams (they/them) - Mental health clinician specialising in gender-affirming care for trans and gender-diverse young people.

• Nevo Zisin - Writer, educator and public speaker exploring gender diversity, belonging and inclusion through storytelling and lived experience.

• Pip Thoroughgood - Proud Transfem playwright and theatre-maker from regional Australia. She has been creating works since 2017, working primarily as a director and playwright.

Saturday 29 August | 2:00pm–4:00pm

Finding Hope in a Changing Climate

Exploring how we respond to climate change through both the head and the heart, and the stories that inspire resilience, action and hope.

Guest Speakers

• Dr Linden Ashcroft (University of Melbourne) - Climate scientist and science communicator specialising in climate variability, extremes and making climate science accessible and engaging.

• Dr Beth Hill (Psychologists for a Safe Climate) - Anthropologist, facilitator and mindfulness teacher exploring the emotional and cultural dimensions of climate change.

Saturday 29 August | 7:00pm–9:00pm

Many Cultures. Shared Futures.

A conversation about belonging, multiculturalism and the importance of standing against racism and Islamophobia through story, connection and community.

Guest Speakers

• MC: Beray Uzunbay - Lawyer, educator, artist and comedian advocating for social justice and inclusion.

• Dr Senem Eren (Centre for Muslim Wellbeing) - Perspectives on culturally safe communities and mental wellbeing.

• Mursal Sadat - Afghanistan Women's National Soccer Team player and youth advocate for women and refugees.

• Dr Umber Rind - Director of First Crossings Advisory, GP, anti-racism strategist and public health leader specialising in cultural safety and equity.

Also see our accompanying events:

Improvisation Technique for Strong Playback

Friday 28th 1pm - 5:30pm

For those new or experienced in improvisation, learn the specific improvisation skills that we use to perform Playback Theatre - a form where theatre is created on the spot, but rather than having the whole world as our oyster, the performers are crafting a representation of an existing story, a story that the whole audience has just heard.

https://events.humanitix.com/melbourne-playback-workshop-friday-28th

Playback Jam

Sunday 30th 10am - 2:30pm

A half day (4 hour) Playback Jam for folks who have any experience with Playback Theatre. We lead warm-ups and technique training and then launch into heaps of Playback.

https://events.humanitix.com/melbourne-playback-workshop-sunday-30th

Invite-only client event:

Status Quo - The Conversations We're Not Having

Thursday 27th August, evening

Why are workplace conversations getting harder - and what helps us navigate them?

Join Therese Joyce, Dr Tom Verghese, and Melbourne Playback Theatre for an evening exploring the communication challenges shaping today's workplaces.

Invite-only, Expressions of Interest welcome here: https://forms.gle/MQ9ByfyU441c6xXbA