COURSE OFFERINGS
NYSPT courses have been designed to provide a broad range of instruction to reflect the needs, backgrounds and interests our students. We offer several discounts which can be found when you registered to courses. NYSPT courses work in compliance with the Centre for Playback Theatre's course curriculum. All NYSPT courses are non-residential this year, however there is affordable lodging nearby. Food and meals are the responsibility of the student at all locations.
In response to COVID-19, we have adopted a hybrid model for most of our courses. Part of the course will be taught online and part will be taught in-person. See dates and schedules below.
All online sessions will be taught from 11am - 2pm ET.
All in-person courses will be taught from 9:30am - 5:30pm ET
Before enrolling, please check the course prerequisites.
February 15-18, 2020
New York, New York
Sliding Scale Pricing
$50-$595 USD
Core Training
Will C.
Getting a strong start in Playback Theatre means taking enough time to immerse yourself in the rich atmosphere and dynamics of the Playback experience. In this four-day intensive, you’ll learn the basics with lots of opportunities to practice. The fundamental Playback forms will be taught—fluid sculptures, pairs, stories, tableau and more. Each student will have a chance to try the roles of conductor and musician as well as actor. Everyone will tell and enact stories together, in the spirit of fun and fellowship. Designed for new and relatively new students.
June 26, 2020
ONLINE
Sliding Scale Pricing
$35-$75 USD
Taste of Playback Theatre for BIPOC
Randy Mulder
Playback Theatre is a widely used applied theatre technique practiced across the globe in schools, hospitals, theaters, community centers and public theaters. In this introductory workshop, students will learn the basics of the technique, which centers around telling and witnessing our personal stories enacted on stage. This community building theatre technique is useful for teachers, actors, therapists, and activists.
This workshop is for people who identify as black, indigenous or a person of color. Please respect the space.
*One of the co-founders, Jo Salas or Jonathan Fox, will join a portion of this workshop to welcome students and share their vision for creating Playback Theatre and applications for today
July 11, 2020
ONLINE
Sliding Scale Pricing
$35-$75 USD
Taste of Playback Theatre
Hannah Fox
Playback Theatre is a widely used applied theatre technique practiced across the globe in schools, hospitals, theaters, community centers and public theaters. In this introductory workshop, students will learn the basics of the technique, which centers around telling and witnessing our personal stories enacted on stage. This community building theatre technique is useful for teachers, actors, therapists, and activists.
*One of the co-founders, Jo Salas or Jonathan Fox, will join a portion of this workshop to welcome students and share their vision for creating Playback Theatre and applications for today
Online: Jul. 31, Aug. 1 & 2 In person: Oct. 3 & 4
New Paltz, New York
Sliding Scale Pricing
$200-$595 USD
Core Training FULL/WAITLIST ONLY*
Hannah Fox
Getting a strong start in Playback Theatre means taking enough time to immerse yourself in the rich atmosphere and dynamics of the Playback experience. In this four-day intensive, you’ll learn the basics with lots of opportunities to practice. The fundamental Playback forms will be taught—fluid sculptures, pairs, stories, tableau and more. Each student will have a chance to try the roles of conductor and musician as well as actor. Everyone will tell and enact stories together, in the spirit of fun and fellowship. Designed for new and relatively new students.
*Waitlist at NewYorkspt@gmail.com
Online: Aug. 7, 8 & 9
In person: Oct. 10 & 11
New Paltz, New York
$645 USD
*Waitlist at
Conducting the Story, The Group, and the Event
Randy Mulder
FULL/WAITLIST ONLY*
A skillful conductor knows how to bring out the important stories that are waiting to be heard in all their richness and wisdom. In this workshop for both new and experienced Playback Theatre conductors, we'll examine presence, not only to sharpen our ability to listen to other's stories, but also to lean into our own stories and explore where resonance exists with the audience. We'll explore the importance of language, the potency of silence, the intuitive connection with your fellow-performers, and the subtle art of warm-up. We¹ll also be telling our own stories, acting, playing music, and just playing.
Prerequisite: Core Training or Equivalent*
*One year with an active company or 40 hours of practice
Online: Aug. 14, 15 & 16 In person: Oct. 17 & 18
New Paltz, New York
$645 USD
The Inclusive Group
Jonathan Fox
Playback Theatre is based on the belief that everyone deserves to tell their story. In this Level 2 workshop, taught by the founder of Playback Theatre, participants will focus on the many facets of the Playback group process, including how to build a positive atmosphere and encourage tellers, particularly socially vulnerable individuals, to step forward to tell. Special attention will be paid to conducting audiences and group facilitation in workshops
Prerequisites: Core Training, Conducting
Online: Jan 2021
$300 USD
Dates/Times TBA
The Mysterious Link: Music and Playback Theatre
Jo Salas with Ann Belmont
In this workshop, we will explore how music plays multiple roles and is the mysterious link between all dimensions of great Playback Theatre. How can the musician perform as an actor? How can the actor and conductor engage more musically? How can we listen for the music that binds a story or short form together? We will get to know the instruments; experiment with the simple ways our voices have a powerful impact; notice how music affects the actions of the actors and emotional landscape of the story; and deepen our awareness about how music is foundational to the ritual
dimension of good Playback Theatre. All instruments and levels of musical experience are welcome.
Prerequisite: Core Training
Online only
Oct. 30, 31, Nov 1, 14, 15
9am-2pm ET
$700 USD
Advanced Practice
Jo Salas
NEW DATES & ENTIRELY ONLINE
This five-day course is designed to bring your knowledge and practical skills to the level needed for Playback Theatre Leadership, or simply to do your work well. We will pay careful attention to advanced issues in conducting and acting, with time to practice each of these roles, as well as music (both playing and teaching music). Conducting practice will include the subtle art of warming up any audience so they are ready to tell stories; choosing forms; and embracing stories that may not be easy to tell. We’ll also explore other topics such as recruiting and training company members, the practical issues that come up in running a group, and our social responsibility as practitioners. Participants are welcome to come with specific questions from your own Playback Theatre work.
Prerequisites: At minimum Core Training, Conducting, and at least one year of practical experience using Playback in the community.