collective: Volume 1, Summer | Page 39

Everyone has a story. And regardless of color, stature, or demographic profile, that story has the right to be heard. But sometimes we are reluctant to enter into another’s world; apathy stands guard at the gate. If we want to see change in this world we must learn climb the fence. We must risk our own safety, just for one moment, knowing that we could scrape our own knees in an attempt to break through those barriers. But as we stand on the other side, the gate itself begins to dissolve - our two worlds become one, and unity is restored. Playback stands to outlaw iron fences, liberate the captive, and bring victory to a world undone. “Life, while it is happening to us, can seem random and undirected. It’s often only when we tell the story of what happened that some order can emerge from the abundant jumble of details and impressions...” -Jo Salas, Founder, Playback Theatre The Playback Theatre is part of the Applied Theatre Center in Greenville, SC and is a bridge between organizations offering programs which meet the needs of individuals and communities and theatre artists trained in a variety of applied theatre techniques. For more information, please go to: http://www.appliedtheatrecenter.org/playbackcafe.html