OS/Playback Theatre/Advice

Wed Jan 3 17:49:27 PST 2001

Dear Chris,

My only suggestion would be to have the 5 o' clock news  after dinner.  This way, it can run until it runs out.  In Spain, at one of the OT symposiums, we did this, and 20 people gathered after dinner for "high play" and whatever needed to be expressed.  There was silence, where people just sat still and then someone would start something-- then group synergy played on that.--- til it ran out.  Then silence again.  People just like being together without any 'thing' that needs to happen.  The deepest creativity comes out of this which surprises us all.  This could be done Friday night.  In Spain, this lasted about 2 1/2 - 3 hours and was the highlight of our whole time together.  "We slowed down time".

Have fun,

Ann Galley
(Open Space Facilitator)

On Wed, 03 January 2001, Chris Weaver wrote:

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> Dear OSLIST,<BR>
> <BR>
> Back in the summer, Peter O'Connell initiated a discussion of connections between OS and Playback Theatre (which I would describe as an interactive improvisational drama form for transformational performance).  The topic jumped to my front burner today, as I have been asked to facilitate an OS retreat for the Playback Theatre company in my hometown.<BR>
> <BR>
> Playback Theatre is new to me, and OS is new to the local Playback folks.  It appears that the two forms will dance together at this retreat in three weeks.  I will here describe the parameters of the event.  I would be grateful to receive advice from people on the list as to how OS and PT might be interwoven for the greatest benefit. <BR>
> <BR>
> I was approached by the company's artistic director because she feels that they are at a crossroads, when a new structure / leadership pattern is ready to emerge, but they don't know what it is yet.  The thirteen-member company has schedlued a retreat from Friday afternoon through a Saturday late-lunch (essentially a one-day event with an overnight in the middle), to be held at the large house of one of the actors.<BR>
> <BR>
> What I learned about Playback this morning fascinated me deeply.  As Peter O'Connell described well on the list back in June, the four OS principles are deeply <I>in play</I>.  As well, I am interested in the many parallels between the role of Playback "Conductor" and OS facilitator, as space opener, holder, and closer.  More than any group with whom I've held preliminary discussion, I feel that the Playback folks <I>already know how to do this,</I> and in an uncommonly artistic and expressive way.  At the same time, I recognize their need for an outside space-holder to free them to <I>enact the story</I> of their own company.<BR>
> <BR>
> So here's what stumps me.  Should I facilitate an OST meeting, trust the OST process, and let Playback process emerge where and when it will?  Or is this a chance to <I>plan for </I>the use of Playback forms for particular parts of the retreat?  What about the small size of the group, their high trust level, and their natural propensity to do group processing as a whole?<BR>
> <BR>
> I gratefully invite any thoughts you have on this event, particularly (but not only!) from people with some experience of Playback Theatre. <BR>
> <BR>
> Sincerely,<BR>
> Chris Weaver<BR>
> <BR>
> -- <BR>
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