About
How and where will it be?
The Iberian Playback Theatre Gathering takes place in a “conference” format, where over the course of three intense days, various activities are held, with the main focus being the workshops facilitated by diverse people with different backgrounds and experiences. There are workshops on various topics with multiple approaches and perspectives, all framed by the ethical principles outlined in the AITP manifesto.
This year, the Gathering will be held in Setúbal. The venue will be A Gráfica, and accommodation will be at the Setúbal Youth Hostel.
A Gráfica - Centro de Criação Artística
Where all the Gathering's activities, including meals, will take place.
Pousada da Juventude de Setúbal
Where you will be staying. It is located a mere 15-minute walk (1 km) away from "A Gráfica."
What is Playback Theatre?
Playback Theatre is a form of improvisational theatre. It was created by Jo Salas and Jonathan Fox in 1975, the year right after the Carnation Revolution!
Audience members share personal stories in the first person. A team of performers on stage listens attentively and carefully to each of the stories told and then artistically enacts them on stage through movement, voice, music, and fabric.
Used in Multiple Contexts
A Playback Theatre performance usually lasts between one and two hours and can be held both for small groups of less than a dozen people or larger groups of up to 100 people.
It is a form of theatre and, therefore, an art form in its own right that is also used in various contexts as a tool to promote social justice. It can be used in educational settings (e.g., to promote empathy and conflict resolution), in organizations (e.g., to improve workplace well-being), and in community settings (e.g., to strengthen social cohesion and raise awareness of human rights).
Seeing is Believing
The name “Playback” means “replay” or “give back,” reflecting the essence of this form of theatre: to give back the story that was shared through a theatrical performance improvised on the spot.
Those watching Playback Theatre for the first time are often amazed to realize that the enactments were not “pre-planned.” In reality, those who practice this form of social and community intervention theatre must train for many hours, months, and years to perform it. But anyone can try! Taking risks, living, learning, or watching Playback Theatre is always an enriching experience.
Playback Theatre Performance
At the Iberian Gathering, there is always a public Playback Theatre performance on Saturday night. On stage, you will find representatives from various Playback Theatre groups across the Iberian Peninsula.
