Dear Aspirant,

The first Playback Theatre company was founded in 1975 by Jonathan Fox and Jo Salas. Fox was a student of improvisational theatre, oral traditional storytelling, Jacob Moreno's psychodrama method and the work of educator Paulo Freire.

The original Playback Theatre Company made its home in Dutchess and Ulster Counties of New York State, just north of New York City. This group, while developing the basis of the Playback form, took it to schools, prisons, centers for the elderly, conferences, and festivals in an effort to encourage individuals from all walks of society to let their stories be heard. They also performed monthly for the public-at-large.

Like any discipline, we know that there is always a social,political or religious influence to the trajectory each discipline follows.

In the field of Playback theatre, we can find trace these factors back to the early tribal days where festivals were celebrated and the world was dominated with the ideas of magic and mysticism.

There can be a reference drawn to the non-literary culture and the days of Holmer and Chaucer where the storyteller walked around town to communicate  wisdom and knowledge in the story, a clear parallel drawn to today’s playback theatre where many are left inspired. The playback process has never been easy to understand because of its flexibility and involvement around the areas of theatre,psychology and education.

One more foundation and ritual that has led to the growth of Playback theatre is the “Tea Ceremony”. It was first introduced to Japan during the regency of Prince Shotoku. (572-622) . This later instilled within the society , the concept of sharing and peace. Tea drinking became a point of commonality for all sections of  the society.

The Playback Theatre idea has inspired many people. As an immediate result of a teaching and performing tour by some of the members of the original Playback Theatre Company to Australasia in 1980, companies were founded in Sydney (1980), Melbourne (1981), Perth, and Wellington. All four companies still exist, and are now the oldest extant companies in the world.Knowledge sharing through more practical methods is now being promoted. The ultimate being the internet.

Hope this helps. All the best !