Tapestry Playback Theatre (Singapore)

What a blessing to be interviewed on 938Live!

2009-05-18T12:38:00.002+08:00

Hey everyone!

For those of you would managed to catch the interview on 938Live.sg, thank you for your support! For those of you who missed it and wants to share playback theatre with your friends, please listen to the repeat broadcast slots tonight at 11.10pm and 4am on FM93.8 and 2am on ChannelNews Asia.

If you are interested to know more about our Play-In-Progress-Experience June workshop, check out http://annechua.com/PIPE for more details. We welcome queries and invitations for future workshops! Places are limited for the June workshop, so sign up quickly to avoid disappointment!

If you would like to invite us to do performances or workshops for your company events, family celebrations and social service programmes, do contact us at tapestry.sg@gmail.com and we will meet you to discuss details.

Tapestry at the 7th Bloodmobile Organisers' Seminar.

2009-03-09T20:39:00.020+08:00

Participants at the 7th Bloodmobile Organisers' Seminar on the 28th of February received a pleasant surprise. Added to the programme this year, was a performance by Tapestry Playback Theatre at the HSA auditorium.

The audience included students from various tertiary institutions, grassroots representatives, representatives from supporting corporate companies and members of Red Cross.

We are thankful for the many heartfelt stories that came out.

There was the volunteer who had really personal reasons for helping out. There was the veteran volunteer, who used his wits and perseverance to put up posters where he really wanted to.

There were stories of encouragement and perseverance, stories of rewards and obstacles, and stories of laughter and of tears.

We're honoured to perform these stories. We want to thank Red Cross for this opportunity. We also want to thank Elaine and her colleagues for helping us out with logistics and planning.

We thank each and everyone there for sharing their heart and
their experiences.

Let's watch!

p/s for more pictures, please proceed here.

Testimonial

2009-03-09T03:09:00.002+08:00

This testimonial is from Perry Lin, BF Youths administrator. He also participated in our playback sessions at the camp.

~~~
Playback Theater has been a most eye-opening experience for myself, a youth group administrator. When I engaged Tapestry, I had in mind a tool to gradually allow youths to step out of comfort zones and build confidence. I was pleasantly surprised by how fast this effect was achieved with playback :)

I marvel at playback's efficacy to break the ice between complete strangers and subsequently bond people thereafter. Under the passionate guidance of Anne, Michael and Jerry, I saw our quieter youths bloom before my eyes, whilst the more gregarious bunch learn to simply enjoy the act of expression.

I think playback's potential in the youth scene is limitless, its work on the esteem and confidence a treasure. Our trainers at Tapestry is a good mix of loony and professional and is a most wicked bunch to look to for guidance. Thank you Tapestry for your passion in this work!
~~~

Tapestry at Buddhist Fellowship Youths Theatre Camp

2009-03-09T02:40:00.006+08:00

In December 2008, Tapestry Playback Theatre was asked to facilitate a theatre camp organized by the Buddhist Fellowship Youths.

Over 50 youths came together for the BF Youth Theatre Camp, which aimed to help participants to conquer their fears through the use of drama, and to develop self confidence through performing before a live audience.

Animal games!

Pair work

3 wise men...

let's do playback!

giving music a try!

group photos!

Last Jamming Session for 2008!

2008-12-01T14:00:00.004+08:00

Dear friends of Tapestry,

we want to invite all of you to our last jamming session of the year!

We'll be taking a short break after this, so grab the chance to come hang out with us!

Come and play some crazy drama games with us! Come and catch up with us! Take the chance to find out what Playback theatre is all about, and try out the various forms for yourself!

Best of all, it's completely free!

Just a reminder, it doesn't matter if you've never watched a single performance. It doesn't matter if you don't know what Playback is.

It's about having fun and trying something new!

Event: Playback Theatre Jamming
Date: 7th Dec 2008
Time: 6pm to 8pm.
Address: Blk 40A, Margaret Drive, level 2 (The Room Above Queenstown Hawker Centre)
Nearest MRT: Queenstown MRT (10 min walk from the station)

Hope to see you all this Sunday! Feel free to call me if you're lost. =)

Michael
Mobile: 93803041

Another Jamming Session this Sunday!

2008-11-17T20:29:00.003+08:00

Dear friends of Tapestry,

a great many thanks to those who came to jam with us 2 weeks ago. We had a great time didn't we? =)

This coming Sunday (Nov 23, 2008), we want to invite you and your friends again to a 2nd jamming session.

Come and play games with us! Come and catch up with us! Take the chance to find out what Playback theatre is all about, and try out the various forms for yourself!

Just a reminder, it doesn't matter if you've never watched a single performance, or haven't tried doing Playback before. It's about having fun and trying something new!

Event: Playback Jamming
Date: 23rd Nov 2008
Time: 6pm to 8pm.
Address: Blk 40A, Margaret Drive, level 2 (The Room Above Queenstown Hawker Centre)
Nearest MRT: Queenstown MRT (10 min walk from the station)

Hope to see you all this Sunday! Feel free to call me if you're lost. =)

Michael
Mobile: 93803041

Playback Jamming 2nd Nov 2008!

2008-10-30T00:33:00.003+08:00

Dear friends of Tapestry,

we'd like to invite you to a Jamming Session this Sunday (Nov 2, 2008).

It doesn't matter if you've never watched a single performance, or haven't tried doing Playback before. Come and join us in trying out the different forms used in Playback Theatre, telling stories, catching up or learning more about Playback! Basically, come and have fun with us!

Event: Playback Jamming
Date: 2nd Nov 2008
Time: 6pm to 8pm.
Address: Blk 40A, Margaret Drive, level 2(The Room Above Queenstown Hawker Centre)
Nearest MRT: Queenstown MRT (10 min walk from the station)

Hope to see you all this Sunday! Feel free to call me if you're lost.

Michael
Mobile: 93803041

Some photos from Out of Tune

2008-10-16T22:24:00.005+08:00

Let the stories begin...
Fluids...

3-part...
"I swear...there's something underneath..."
human jukebox!
Pairs...
3 in tandem
Chorus...
Brain-training
We see the light...

Tapestry Playback Theatre presents an "Out Of Tune" performance

2008-09-10T11:48:00.005+08:00

Do you sometimes find moments in your life where you are playing out a different tune? Do you wonder why some people just don’t seem to strike the right note? Come and discover stories, of eccentricity, of idiosyncrasies, of individuals or society at large. Watch as your stories come to life at Tapestry Playback Theatre’s upcoming show: Out of Tune.

There are only 2 shows!
• Saturday Evening: 4th October at 8pm
• Sunday Afternoon: 5th October at 3pm

They will be shown only at:
Teater Ekamatra Black Box
Telok Ayer Performing Arts Centre
182 Cecil Street (S) 069547

Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar, Exit G

The tickets will cost you only $12. Do contact Michael at tapestry.sg@gmail.com or send sms to 93803041 to reserve your tickets

Remember to dress comfortably as some seats are on the floor.

We look forward to seeing you at our shows.

Regards,

Tapestry Playback Theatre.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About Playback Theatre

Playback Theatre is a unique form of improvisational theatre that engages people to share their stories or moments from their life, and gives them an opportunity to see their stories recreated immediately on stage.

It combines the oral traditions of story-telling, the use of rituals, deep listening skills and various performing styles. Essentially, Playback Theatre uses the arts as an act of service to affirm each person’s uniqueness, and at the same time builds and strengthens our connections to each other as a community of people.

The original Playback Theatre company was founded in New York in 1975, with Jonathan Fox as its director. Since then, Playback Theatre has spread across the world with companies and practitioners in over 30 countries. It flourishes in a variety of settings from community theatre to professional service to both the business and social sector.

For more information about playback theatre, please visit tapestryplayback.blogspot.com and www.playbacknet.org.

Photos from Colour My World

2008-04-13T14:08:00.006+08:00

Audience Feedback to Colour My World

2008-04-13T13:42:00.005+08:00

A very big thank you to all who came and all who helped out! See you guys at the next show!!

"Outstanding! Very charming and authentic people."

"Really colourful eye-opening experience."

"Lots of humour and energy!"

"Great way to spend a Suday afternoon!"

"Very well done! Sometimes good, sometimes even better!"

"A very powerful form of presentation to present a story."

Thank You for COLOURING our WORLD!

2008-04-06T20:43:00.015+08:00

Tapestry's upcoming show: COLOUR MY WORLD

2008-03-09T16:21:00.002+08:00

Do you have a favourite colour?
Red, blue, green or black and white?

What is the colour of your life?
Fuschia, aqua, magenta, azure, gainsboro?

Who painted your world?
Or rather, what colours did you shade the world with?

Tell us what luminated your world or listen to other audiences’ colourful stories and watch Tapestry Playback Theatre brings these stories to life theatrically in their upcoming show Colour My World.

Performance Date: 5th April (Sat) and 6th April (Sun)

Performance Time: 8pm (Sat), 3pm (Sun)

Venue: Teater Kami
One-Two-Six Cairnhill Arts Centre,
126 Cairnhill Road, #02-04/05,
Singapore 229707

Nearest MRT: Newton

Ticket Price: $18, $15 (full time students, group discount of 5 or more, elderly)

Ticketing Info: Contact Michael at tapestry.sg@gmail.com or send sms to 93803041 to reserve tickets, collect at door.

Dress comfortable for seating on the floor.

See you there!

PlaYBacK 101 - Tapestry's 3-day Experiential Workshop in April!

2008-03-07T00:34:00.005+08:00

Have you ever:

Wondered if there are other ways to express your thoughts, feelings and opinions with greater confidence?

Wanted to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, be it that of your colleague or your boss, even your family members and friends?

Wanted to find out fresh ways of facilitating small groups?

PlaYBack 101 is a workshop just for you!

What does this 3-day workshop do?

Enhances your current level of self-confidence and help you understand yourself better.
Helps you tune into your creativity and you learn to be more spontaneous.
Helps you recognize and perceive emotions of others.
Helps you find out more about group processes and be a better facilitator at work.

You don’t even need to have any acting experience! All you need is a warm heart to feel, an eager mind to learn and a sheer desire to de-stress…

Date & Time of PlaYBacK 101:
Fri (25 Apr) 7.30pm – 10pm,
Sat (26 Apr) 9am – 6pm
& Sun (27 Apr) 9am – 6pm.

Cost: $280
BUT
Sign up before 25 March 2008, you pay $224 per person!

After 25 March 2008, you pay $252 if you sign up with a friend

Note, places at the workshop is limited to 15 participants only! So, don’t hesitate now! Sign up for PlaYBacK 101! Email to tapestry.sg@gmail.com for a registration form.

See you there!! :)

2007-10-14T03:36:00.000+08:00

Did something that brought a smile to someone's face or tears to another?

Made an impact in someone's life?

Guilty of something you had done?

Made a little contribution towards peace in this turbulent world?

Come share stories of things you've done that you would always remember,or listen to stories of unforgettable memories.

Watch as TapestryPlayback Theatre brings these stories to life in our upcoming
show.

And no, the show has got nothing to do with that
song......

Time: 3rd Nov and 4th Nov, 3pm on both days

Venue: The Substation, 45 Armenian Street

Tickets: $18, $15 (full time students, group discount of 5 or more,elderly), $16 (passion card holders)

Contact Michael at tapestry.sg@gmail.com or send sms to 93803041 to reserve tickets.

We had fun at "Lost & Found" !!!

2007-08-02T17:13:00.000+08:00

Comments from our audience members:

Thanks for helping us revisit buried memories and help us to find closures and even healing. The improvisation was so seamless and amazing! ~Claire Au~

Exceptional performance! Captured the mood superbly. DEFINITELY ENLIGHTENING! ~Ruzan~

Very touching and real. ~David Low~

This is my first playback performance which I have seen. Playback allows the audience to their moments in life. Very unique and original! ~Jennifer Lee~

ENJOYED it! Great ministry and therapy, not just a show or performance. Powerful! ~Maria Ling~

Such a unique experience, I can't wait to share with my friends and loved ones. Thank you for bringing all these feelings to life! ~Angela Ng~

Latest Playback Theatre Performances in July 2007!

2007-06-04T09:25:00.001+08:00

Playback Jamming Sessions for April 2007!

2007-03-21T12:54:00.000+08:00

Especially for Those who have watched at least

2 Playback Theatre performances

or have attended previous/current Intro Playback

workshops in the past few years:

COME AND JOIN US

THE MONTH OF APRIL!

PLAY SILLY GAMES,

SHARE YOUR FEELINGS AND STORIES,

LEARN BASIC PLAYBACK FORMS ALL OVER AGAIN!

EVERY SUNDAY FROM 6PM - 8.30PM (except 8.4.2007)

Things to remember:

Register by emailing us at tapestry.sg@gmail.com at least two days prior to each session. Limited to 15 participants for every session.

Wear comfortable track pants or bermudas for movement activities!

Bring your own water bottle, a note book and pen to take notes and your cheery self!

Latest Update for Tapestry's Events

2007-02-23T00:43:00.000+08:00

Dear Friends and Supporters of Tapestry,

Xin Nian Kuai Le (translated in English - it means Happy New Year!) We believe that you will be blessed in many ways during your CNY visits to the homes of your relatives, colleagues and friends. May you experience an abundance of love and peace, the renewal of friendship bonds and the meaningful sharing of significant moments/stories in the past year!

Playback Cambodia Dec Trip 2006

On our Dec'06 trip to Phnom Penh, Michael, Jerry, Renee and I had the honour of being part of a playback practice process with our Cambodian friends from Mercy Teams International who have embraced PT in the last year. We shared with them a proposed structure for PT practices that Tapestry would often do to get ready for our performances and taught them how to evaluate and do feedback sessions with members for practices and post-performance debriefs.

We were very happy to be a part of the MTI Playback Team performing in a community performance where MTI invited their local staff members, clients and their families to come and share their stories. Despite the difficulty of not having a common language, I believe hearts were touched and tears were shed when the local Cambodian audience experienced PT for the very first time.

We also worked closely with MTI to conduct a 2-day sharing session working alongside a local Non-Government Organisation known as "The Health Centre for Children". This is a shelter for girls who have experienced personal traumas despite their young ages. All of us were humbled by the openness and trust that were given to us by the girls during the two days. We felt very blessed as we have received more than what we have given to them. My personal joy was to see them enjoy the drama games that we shared with them on the first day, there was always a request to play their favourite game in the transitions between the programmes. Their genuine stories, tears and smiles touched our hearts and all of us want to return to share PT with them in the near future!

For further information, you can read about our trip in either of the articles that were published in the Straits Times on 30 Dec 2006 andLian He Zao Bao on 28 Jan 2007. We were very fortunate to have two reporters coming along to document some of the significant highlights of our last trip.

NUS Exxon Mobil Campus Concerts Performance "It's My Life"

We were invited by the organiser of the NUS Exxon Mobil Campus Concerts to share a special presentation of PT with NUS students and staff, and members of the public. In spite of our crazy work/study schedules, Jerry, Renee, Michael, Ee Mien and I were able to be involved in this special evening performance. Many meaningful moments were shared and I had a significant moment when I invited a member of the NUS stage crew to come up to the stage to share a significant moment that changed herlife. It was definitely a first for me as the "invisible" crew member became visible for once. Tapestry hopes that the NUS performance is the start of many opportunities to share PT in our specific community groups. *hint hint to those of you who may have an idea of wanting to share PT in your community or workplace, do give us an email at tapestry.sg@gmail.com*

The Playback Experience (Intro PT Workshop)

Tapestry is holding two introductory workshops for PT in March and October 2007. So for those of you who are still considering whether to invest in learning PT, I suggest you write in to me and we can continue to dialogue over emails.

Personally, I have gained tremendously from learning playback skills, reflecting the learning process, building PT network and having new friendships from travelling to meet playbackers all over the world. I have come to appreciate the community ties that have been built over the past few years especially with Asian playbackers in Cambodia, Taiwan, Japan, India and Hongkong.

By doing more introductory playback theatre workshops, Tapestry is part of the Asian network of Playback practitioners who wants to promote a deep interest for PT through the teaching of basic PT skills, to add on knowledge in the areas where PT is used specifically with Asian communities through regular PT jamming sessions, and to assist in providing advanced PT training for those who cannot afford to go for PT courses in New York, Japan or New Zealand.

Playback Jamming Sessions

For those of you who have already received the notice about Playback Jamming Sessions. Yes, it is true, we are having more regular playback jamming sessions for the months of April and November. This is for thosewho are curious about PT and watched two performances and feel that they would like to learn a little PT. It is also for those who want to retain the skills picked up in the last Intro PT workshop that they have attended. Lastly, it is for those who say they don't have time to join a playback group but would like to continue using PT in their work. Find out more about what to expect from a Playback Jamming Session in our latest notice about this event. Please write to us if you wish to be included in Tapestry's mailing list!

Tapestry's Website to be ready in 2007!

For those of you who are wondering if we are going to have a website, the answer is a resounding yes! We are in the midst of getting the nitty-gritty details of the website's contents and hopefully by May 2007 *that is my hope, cross my fingers and toes*, you will be notified to visit our newly launched website with information about us, our latest projects and performances.

Till the next update! Keep telling your story and keep us in your prayers!

~ From the desk of Anne Chua aka the Long-Winded Editor ~

Introductory Playback Theatre Workshop

2007-02-14T22:39:00.000+08:00

The Playback Experience

9 MAR 2007 (Fri: 7pm – 10 pm)
10th – 11th MAR 2007 (Sat & Sun: 9am – 6pm)

Fees: $290*

Training Venue:

DRAMAPLUS Arts Ltd

33 Kerbau Rd, Singapore 219166

* Sign up by 19th to 28 FEB 2007
you pay $270 per person.

OR

You pay $230 if you sign up with a friend

from now till 18th FEB 2007

Comments from Previous Participants

I appreciate the insights and the process of Playback Theatre. I learnt more about awareness and listening for the essence of the stories. Great Job, Anne and Jerry! Your efforts are appreciated and the facilitation was very clear.
~Mr. Aaron Ng, Church Worker~

Great workshop! I never attended such an interactive and participative workshop before! I would recommend this to my principal and get both of you to come to my school to run such a workshop for my students!
~Ms. Lee Ji Wen, Social Worker~

Fun! Cool! I realised one must come with an open mind and heart to benefit the most from what we have done in this workshop.
~Ms. Fiona Koh, Special Education Teacher~

I found out how Playback can be used in lessons and how it can be an avenue of "theatre". I found the hands-on sessions to be particularly useful.
~Ms. Wee Jer Wen, Secondary School Teacher~

7 FEB 2007 Exon-Mobil Show At NUS - It's My Life!

2007-02-13T22:24:00.000+08:00

Thank You for Sharing Your Significant Moments with Us!

When I became a Christian in my senior year high school, life totally turned around for me.

Not sure if it is good to regard life as a series of special events where it often slowly evolves.

My parents got divorced, they were always bickering but when that moment came, the papers were served, things changed. We moved out and I'm not sure I'll ever be the same person again. Something disappeared and got removed.

In my University 2nd/3rd year when I got very stressed out by school and relationship problems, I became depressed. It was a terrible time when I realised life could be so dark and I experienced something I wouldn't understand when I had gone through it.

I changed continents and life turned around with new experiences, new life renewed me.

I was 22. Life changes when I was given opportunities to change. Once I had a fever, almost died. Once I was hanging by the side of a ravine, almost died. Once I was locked up, waiting for a 16 year jail sentence, almost died. Things change, I changed. Life means more now.

Last Performance for 2006 for Tapestry!!!!

2006-11-11T01:17:00.000+08:00

"We've always had a theme to perform to, now that there's no theme, we’ll use nothing to give you everything!"

"This time we really go where the audience leads us! They're gonna have a blast!"

"If you know how Playback works, you know this one is going to be an amazing show."

Join us in the challenge to make a performance out of nothing and everything!

Come watch Tapestry Playback Theatre's next performance:

"?"
10th December 2006, Sun
7 pm
Blk 40A, Margaret Drive, level 2
(The Room Above Queenstown Hawker Centre)*
Price: $12.00 **
For students and group discount (5 or more) - $10

Email Renee at tapestry.sg@gmail.com for queries and booking of tickets

*Please dress comfortably for sitting on rugs
**Part of the proceeds go to Playback Cambodia Fund

About Playback Theatre

This is a theatre form based on improvisation and it has been practice in over 30 countries in the world.It was created by Jonathan Fox who believed in a spontaneous theatre that reflected back to a gathered audience their view of the world as they experienced it.In a playback theatre performance, an audience member tells a real feeling or story from their life situations, chooses actors to play the different roles, and watches as their story is given artistic shape and coherence.By telling and re-enacting these stories, Playback Theatre enables a community to get to know its members better.It is all about respect, sharing real stories, connectingIndividuals to each other, and creating a deeper sense of communityFor more information about playback theatre, please visithttp://www.playbacknet.org/

PLAYBACK CAMBODIA

Tapestry Playback Theatre (Singapore) will be embarking on another playback journey to Cambodia (13-26 Dec 2006). This time, we will be working on a joint community performance with social workers, community workers and counselors from Mercy Teams International (MTI). Tapestry will also be partnering MTI in a project with Healthcare Center for Children (HCC).
This is a purely voluntary effort from Tapestry members. If you will like to support us, or have a heart in helping the children of Cambodia, do contribute what you can to the Tapestry Playback Cambodia Fund.

For more information on how you can do this, call Anne Chua at 90068678.

Tapestry June 2006 Performance: Who Am I?

2006-05-06T00:42:00.000+08:00

Come and play!
Explore how we see ourselves in our daily lives and how others look at us.
Join us in Tapestry Playback Theatre's next performance:

WHO AM I?
3rd June 2006, Sat
8 pm – 9.30 pm
Blk 40A, Margaret Drive, level 2
(The Room Above Queenstown Hawker Centre)

Price: $15.00 *
*Part of the proceeds go to Playback Cambodia

(Purchase of more than 5 tickets and students – $12)

Email Eemien at tapestry.sg@gmail.com for more information about booking of tickets and queries.

PLAYBACK CAMBODIA Presentation
There will be a special presentation on Playback Cambodia during the tea-break. Please stay on to support this presentation.

Tapestry Playback Theatre (Singapore) will be embarking on another playback journey to Cambodia on 20-25 June 2006. This time, we hope to bring two customized workshops for social workers, community workers and counselors from Mercy Teams International (MTI) and other Non-Government Organizations. Tapestry would also be facilitating a playback workshop for a group of Cambodian children from MTI.

This is a purely voluntary effort from Tapestry members. If you believe in the ministry of Playback Theatre, and would like to support us, or have a heart in helping the children of Cambodia, do contribute in amounts of $10, $20, $50 to the Tapestry Playback Cambodia Fund.

For more information on how you could do this, call Anne Chua at 90068678.

2006-04-27T23:45:00.000+08:00

just a video note to say, missing you all this year!

Introductory Playback Theatre Workshop Series

2006-02-12T15:41:00.000+08:00

Come and discover a new way
to engage small groups of people!

Experience the therapeutic impact
of shared personal stories!

Energise your tired minds and bodies
through engaging theatre forms!

Venue: Room Above Queenstown Hawker Centre,
Block 40A, Margaret Drive, level 2
(the building is opposite the Queenstown Polyclinic)

Dates: 12, 19, 26 March, 2, 9, 16, 23 April 2006

Time: 5.30 – 8.30pm

Cost: $40 per session
(Must sign up for at least 4 consecutive sessions
to be registered in this course)

Sign up for all 7 sessions and receive a discount of 15%

Email: Anne at tapestry.sg@gmail.com to
register for this series of workshop sessions!