Afterthoughts from February shows

So we had an amazing turn out to the shows this go round.People continue to voice a deep appreciation for Playback. They talk about the magic of it, how it invites you to see things anew, makes you feel you're part of something bigger then yourself,that it honors joy and tenderness with equal reverence,and turns things inside out and back again leaving you feeling more alive then before.

It feels like a big wave of energy has built and we can now enjoy the ride without feeling like we have to push so hard. I am amazed by how the ensemble work is growing and deepening and we are working hard to prepare ourselves for playing in contexts where the stories will be deeper,the content heavier, the need to tell and be heard much greater. I know we all feel the experience is a tremendous gift and blessing, that we are growing with it. I am trying to track themes that are emerging- in Playback we call them red threads - with the hope that they will guide me towards what is needed at the next show and in the bigger picture. I have sketched this out here loosely- I'd love writers and actors to contribute to this process and hope this can be part of our dialogue when we meet again.

How does 10:30am, Tuesday, February 22nd work for folks? First Congo-
same space. Let me know ASAP.

Also, still need one or two writer for upcoming shows- Victims to Victory- Friday, Feb 19th and Head Start- Thursday, March 11th.


themes emerging:

November shows:


- when the personal becomes political (the mystery of "de facto"
segregation in the public schools in Memphis (from the perspecitve of a former Montana teacher), the complexities in choosing to send your children to public schools in Memphis- when you are not part of the dominant culture of the schools/ the excitement and hope in starting a movement to do the aformentioned)

-living so close to darkness/ despair- (hearing gun shots a few blocks over, realizing the man who mugged your wife rides by on his bicycle every day)


- parenting-an enormous calling ( the overwhelm of parenting a special needs child when the educational system that is suppossed to support and help is so broken and dysfunctional, a father's love for his daughter comes full circle as he has to embrace her moving out of his arms and into the arms of her new husband)

- how Memphis take root inside you - thorns and flowers- to stay or go

Feb shows:


- committing to Memphis- the flowering of friendships

- Memphis changing- hopes, fears, realities ( changing face of Memphis families with mixed race adoptions, neighborhoods ravaged by violence that were once stable,cycles of abuse- broken lives/ abused animals, a good place to grow a business- big fish little pond, the painful reality of the Memphis city Schools, growing downtown- pluses,minuses)

- the deep disappointment and loss in recognizing when your parent will never parent you ( mom who can't fill out financial aid forms, dad who appears and disappears and disappears)

- the things we do for love and things love does for us (bowling
tournament,dog rescue,finding love in Palm Springs)

- when our own values clash (inviting more diversity into yoga studio, but only if diversity arrives on time)