Out of The Box Playback Theatre Company

15/12/2024

In a beautiful home in Rozelle, a group of 12 friends gathered yesterday to
share their stories. And Out of the Box was there to play those stories back
with the magical spontaneity of improvised theatre. It was a 'cosy' space -
an intimate performance you might say - one we like to dub a "Pocket Gig".
But there was nothing small about the stories shared - a deep well of
experiences, emotions and laughs with a current running through the
afternoon of exploring important questions such as "how should I spend my
time?" "what am I most passionate about?" and "what is next for me?" - the
create mirror of playback illuminating the answers and possibilities...

See you in 2025!

11/12/2024

What a wonderful year we've had at Out of the Box Playback Theatre. We have
loved performing for you and thank you for your stories! We are so lucky to
rehearse in the wonderful space at the Older Women's Network - a cosy haven
amid the bustle of Newtown and the perfect space to honour and enact each
others' stories. If you haven't checked out the terrific programs run by OWN
and their lush community garden, you should! In October we also spent a full
weekend together on our annual retreat in Upper Kangaroo Valley amid tall
gums, the trickling river and a chorus of birds and frogs. Magical!

While playback theatre is nothing new - next year playback will be 50 years
old! - and there are around 55 countries with playback companies around the world, it is not widely known in Australia. Yet playback has so much to offer: it brings
people together through the transformative power of sharing stories. It is a safe space where everyone's story can be voiced and validated, no matter who they are.

I recently read this brilliant description of playback theatre "a group of
artisans who make it their practice to solicit messages and stories from
individuals in community settings worldwide, and then play back those
messages and stories theatrically using actors, musicians, and ritual as a
means of inciting dialogue and fellowship within those communities." I
couldn't have put it better myself. If you think playback is something that
could connect people in your community or workplace, get in touch to talk
about the endless possibilities that playback can provide.

In the meantime, have a safe, happy and peaceful Christmas.

From all of us at Out of the Box Theatre.

18/08/2024

Meet the performers of Out of the Box Playback Theatre 2024! Tamsin, Daniela, Sally, Peter, Jackie, Anne, Glenda and Julia.

14/08/2024

Last weekend Out of the Box attended a playback “JAM” hosted by Sydney Payback at the delightful Dickson Street space in Newtown. We shared fantastic games and improv exercises, enjoyed a shared lunch in the gorgeous winter sunshine, then got stuck into an afternoon of playback short forms and stories. Stories that were big, funny, moving, sad, brave, connecting and life-affirming. Thank you SPBT for inviting us all - it reminded us we are part of a united playback faculty, strengthened the bonds between troupes and reinvigorated us in our purpose of honouring stories and creating community.

11/08/2024

Last Sunday Out of the Box Playback Theatre performed at Flightpath Theatre and what a great afternoon of storytelling we had. Tales were shared of mistaken identity, life imitating art, experiences of racism overseas, fulfilling one’s calling and sweet revenge. Thank you to all the wonderful tellers who gave us a window into their lives and provided the content for our enactments. Photos courtesy of Rod Griffiths.

31/07/2024

Here’s how to book tix for our next gig….👇👇👇👇👇👇

Out of the Box Theatre Company presents playback theatre in the marketplace at Marrickville. See your stories come to life before your eyes with...

29/07/2024

Yesterday we held our last rehearsal in preparation for our Public Performance next Sunday 4th August at the Flight Path Theatre in Marrickville. Big thanks to Michael Pooley for leading us through a series of rehearsal to work on physicality, staging and pace. How can you rehearse for improv theatre? I hear you cry…
Well, at Playback rehearsals we share experiences with each other to hone our listening skills and practice our spontaneity and improvisational theatre methodolgies. The stories might be big or small but, just like at a public performance, every story is important. It might be a moment of running into an old friend at the dog park or a watershed story about giving up your job to build a school in Colombia. Whatever it’s about, all stories deserve to be shared, heard and validated. It’s how we make sense of our experiences, by finding the universal truths in the stories of others.
So… what will be the “red thread” that runs through the stories next Sunday…? Nobody knows, yet! One thing is for sure, next Sunday’s show has never been seen before and will never be seen again. It’s a one-time deal, so don’t miss it! We hope to see you there…

28/06/2024

You are invited!!! Our next public playback performance will be at Flightpath Theatre in Marrickville on Sunday 4th August at 4pm. Save the date! Hope to see you there for some entertaining improvised theatre …

25/04/2024

Last Sunday Out of the Box enjoyed their first public performance for 2024
at Flightpath Theatre in Marrickville. We had a wonderful and generous
audience who shared many stories big and small with us, giving us the
opportunity to bring these stories to life on stage through improvised theatre and music. There were stories about family, ageing parents, the legacy of our ancestors, pets, patience, friendship and redemption. It was a delightful discovery of what we learn about ourselves when we reflect on our own stories and the stories of others. Thanks to everyone who came to watch and to those who shared their stories. We're looking forward to our next gig soon!

27/03/2024

24 sleeps until our public performance!! Grab your tix here….👇👇👇👇👇

https://www.trybooking.com/CQKOO

27/03/2024

Out of the Box has been working hard at playing with two recent workshops on
top of rehearsals. The first, a playdate in the Blue Mountains - a hugely
fun and jam-packed day of improv games and exercises, including mask work, led by Carla and Sarah. The second was an open
rehearsal we hosted at our new digs in Newtown. Our visitors included Max and Belinda from Sydney Playback and Gerry from Wollongong - a wonderfully enjoyable
afternoon of stories and improv together. We're looking forward to our first
public performance for 2024, coming up very soon on 21st April at the
Flightpath Theatre in Marrickville. Come and join us! Tickets via Trybooking
or at the door.

25/10/2023

On Sunday Out of the Box held an Open Rehearsal welcoming 7 participants
from outside the troupe who were keen to experience some improv and playback
with us, not to mention quite a few games! Much fun, sharing and connection
was enjoyed by everyone as we shook of our world-weariness to rediscover the
joys of play and the heartfelt connection that comes with working together
to co-create magic on stage. We will be doing public performances again in
the new year and will post here as soon as a venue is locked in... watch
this space!