Hopes and Blessings From Our Friends!

These are some of the hopes and blessings written by our friends during our last performance "Count Your Blessings!"

For those who missed our last performance for 2005, you can post your blessings or hopes for 2005 by leaving your comments.

Do watch out for our upcoming performances in 2006!




We had fun doing fluids and stories for our new friends who came for the performance on 3 Dec 2005. It was held at Kim's place and the atmosphere was just so christmasy!!!!

Thanks to all those who gave generously for our Cambodian trip, we raised a total of at least $250 in donations and sales of Cambodian products from the last two performances. This will be put to our common fund for our travelling expenses in Cambodia!

Do look out for this space for more photos on Count Your Blessings!

PERFORMANCE: 3 DEC - COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

Count your blessings!
When upon life’s billows, you are tempest-tossed
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your blessings, name them one by one
May it surprises you and brings you life.


What could be the best way to end the year? Counting your blessings!

Come! Give your friends or members of your family sweet surprises by counting those precious moments together!

By sharing these moments, you are giving a precious gem to those whom you care and love. And for this moment of great courage, Tapestry Playback Theatre Group will re-enact your story sincerely and truthfully, and transform it to a piece of memory for you.

Date: Saturday, 3rd December 2005

Time: 8pm (Door will be opened for light tea refreshments
at 7pm)

Venue: Function Room 3 at Teresa Ville, Lower Delta Road.

DIRECTIONS:
From opposite Tiong Bahru MRT take Bus 195 or 123 (3 bus stops); From Harbor Front MRT, take Bus 65 and 855.

Price: $15.00 (Bulk purchase of 5 tickets and students – 10%)

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



TAPESTRY’S CAMBODIA TRIP
YES! We are going to do PLAYBACK in Cambodia! Five members of Tapestry Playback Theatre (Singapore)are embarking on a playback journey to Cambodia. This is a voluntary program. We will be giving a three-day playback theatre workshop and organizing a children Christmas program in Cambodia.

If you believe in the ministry of Playback Theatre, and would like to support us, do assist us by contributing to our Playback Cambodia Fund (which will be collected at the next few Tapestry performances).

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

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, connecting
Individuals to each other, and creating a deeper sense of community

For more information about playback theatre, please visit
www.playbacknet.org

Leave your comments or queries here at our blog!

The Playback Experience - Introductory Playback Workshop

Dates: 9th Dec 2005 (Fri: 7.30pm – 10 pm), 10th - 11th Dec 2005 (Sat & Sun: 9am – 6pm)

Cost: $280*

Training Venue: To be confirmed upon registration

* Sign up from 1st Nov 2005 to 15th Nov 2005, you pay $250 per person OR you pay $235 if you sign up with a friend from now till 30th Oct 2005.


Who should attend?

Through a three-day interactive process, participants will have the opportunity to be immersed in the rich atmosphere and dynamics of the playback experience. Participants will learn the basics of playback theatre, with opportunities to practice the key forms including -- scenes, fluid sculptures, and pairs. They will also explore the roles of the conductor and musician.

If you are looking for ways to engage a large crowd or specific groups of people in an interactive manner; learning and exploring on how playback can be utilized in your present work; searching alternative and creative ways to discuss community issues (eg.roles, relationships, family and work); or just want to get ideas to conduct fun and enjoyable warm-up activities, then THIS IS THE COURSE YOU WANT TO ATTEND!

This course is ideal for teachers, youth workers and social workers, counsellors, therapists and anyone who would like to learn a new theatre form which promotes improvisation, spontaneity and creativity!

Comments from Past 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 session to be particularly useful.~Ms. Wee Jer Wen, Secondary School Teacher~

Words Don't Come Easy

Words Don't Come Easy 19
Originally uploaded by K!Mberly.

22 more photos of the evening @ Flickr.com

Words Don't Come Easy

Words Don't Come Easy 4
Originally uploaded by K!Mberly.

Oct 2005 Performance: WORDS DON’T COME EASY

Have you ever felt like you wanted to say
something but couldn't quite bring it out?

Do you find it hard to communicate
some things? Perhaps too awkward,
too embarrassing, too personal?

Sometimes it is important to say it all out,
a time where there is no fear or judgement.

Come and share a feeling or a short story about
trying to communicate your feelings...



Tapestry Playback Theatre Group Presents

Words Don't Come Easy!


Date: Saturday, 1st October 2005

Time: 8pm (To be seated by 7.45pm )

Venue: Fei Yue Family Service Centre (Void Deck Training Room)

Block 280, Choa Chu Kang Ave 3 (Nearest MRT: Choa Chu Kang)

Price: $12.00 (Bulk purchase of 5 tickets and students – 10%)

Email JERRY at tapestry.sg@gmail.com for more information about booking of tickets and venue details.



Huh? What is Playback Theatre?



This is a theatre form based on improvisation and it has been practised 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, connecting individuals to each other, and creating a deeper sense of community




For more information about playback theatre, please visit www.playbacknet.org

Leave your comments or queries with this blog!

Poem: Let’s Watch by Gabriel Lee

Flowing with such fluidity,
As if water flowing along
The river before merging
With the majestic waterfalls.

Such splendour, such intensity.
Such vibrancy, such awakening.
One’s senses come alive!
One’s senses come So alive!

Crashing upon the surface of
The waters below,
To the bottom of the waterfalls,
Never once losing shape.

The shape, not once
Has it lost.
Just collecting itself once more
And moving on again.

Never ceases to amaze,
How it crashed and yet
Not lose its shape
Not at all.

Though might be losing
In intensity
And speed
But not the shape.

This is how the story
Goes for Playback,
As the story is being
Played back.

The essence of it all,
Remains but
The intensity and speed
Might have had diminished.

For the teller,
That is how the healing
Starts right from
That point forth.

The essence of seeing
The scene unfold
Before his eyes
Right in front of him.

Though the memories might return,
They lose their intensity and speed
Of loss, pain, hurt and anger.
In place, peace reigns.

The healing has begun.
Welcome to Playback Theatre.
Welcome and
Let’s Watch.

Sunday's Timelines

ANNE's


MICHAEL's


AGNES'

K!M's

CHRIS'

Jerry Louis, Actor and Trainer

Greetings! I am Jerry, a good natured, bubbly but harmless, young and gorgeous guy! My friends know me as one who is full of nonsense but yet blessed with a nurturing heart. I guess it’s this genuine desire to be of service to people that has kept me in Tapestry Playback.

I started joining Tapestry without a clue of what I was getting myself into. Agnes, a college friend asked me to attend a full-day workshop conducted by Veronica Needa late last year. I just went by faith to attend the workshop. By the end of a day of playing fun games and learning about playback skills, I found that I really enjoyed myself! It was at this workshop that I saw my first playback performance and it was WOW! I thought to myself this was not an easy thing to do and there is no way I can do it, ie. to think on my feet. However, this started my love affair with playback theatre. I really wanted to challenge myself; to see if I could come up with a fluid sculpture on the spot. The first few times were freaky. I watched my fellow members offer their parts while I was left standing alone. I wished I had a hole to swallow me up. Gradually, I learnt that it was not about coming up with the best but just to offer. I feel very touched when I realise that the things that I can do in playback stories allow people to connect with one another on a deeper level.

Presently, I am a teacher working with children of multiple disabilities, after years of working in advertising and public relations. I enjoy watching movies and analyzing them... a hazard from studying it during university days. I love singing, hiking and camping. My dream is to backpack my way along the Silk Road and experience the vibrant cultures of this ancient route.

Anne Chua, Artistic Director and Principal Trainer

Ha ha ha... I’m Ms Jolly
sometimes I can really be silly.

On most days, I am just downright bubbly;
many would say I am really friendly.

Just in case you are wondering,
yeah, I am truly meandering.

An educational therapist for special kids,
integrating learning and behavioural needs.

My work allows me to think on my feet,
any challenging behaviour is a special treat!

My heart is truly with Playback,
where my interests are merged in a neat stack!

On days where deep stories are told,
my life’s meaning begin to unfold.

As I learn more about how to play
A deeper yearning for knowledge each day

A little dream for many asian stories
sharing playback with neighbouring countries

For now, it’s workshops with kids and teens
creating awareness for playback scenes

So whenever I’m free, I would always try
To have tea with friends or get a good buy

Some days I would try my hand at making
Simple handmade crafts for giving

Reading adult books is my greatest torture
A simple children’s tale is a true adventure

I hope all these mutterings make sense
In true playback theatre’s essence

Agnes Law, Conductor and Founding Member (Currently on Study Leave)

Hi, I'm a full time social worker. I coordinate family life theatre projects in which I use drama to share with people on family life messages. I also conduct playback theater workshops to help students and/ or families to share their family stories and watching them played out on stage. It is very rewarding to see participants open up and share their struggles at home and through this creative process to enable the individual/ the group to move forward and make some informed decisions for their lives. So how did I get initiated into Playback Theatre? I got bored with the present ways of doing social work. i was looking for creative ways to engage people. I chanced upon a website which told me about playback and it got me interested. I spent 10 days in a summer course on Playback Theatre in New Zealand in 2002 and I was totally won over. I knew instantly that Singapore has to see Playback! Hence, I brought my trainer, Beverly Hosking down the same year and conducted a three day workshop in Singapore. Playback allows me the freedom to engage my creativity and spontaniety to work with people but yet at the same time, it teaches me to be sensitive and to deal with differences in life. In order to de-stress, I chill out by taking naps, reading and listening to jazz. I love to watch arts performances whenever I can afford the extra bucks. :)

Asian Playback Gathering: 2 Special Performances

Experience theatre with a Twist.

You choose to be a seat warmer or a storyteller.

The "R/A" Show

Date: 7th August 2005, Sunday

Venue: Golden Landmark Hotel Cost: $15

Time of Performances: 8pm. (Please be seated by 7.45pm)

Duration of shows: 90 mins (no interval)

Email Caroline at apgsg@yahoo.com.sg to purchase your tickets.

Catch playback practitioners from Hongkong, Macau,Taiwan, Nepal, India, Japan, Philippines and Singapore as part of the first ever Asian Playback Gathering held here.


Huh?! What is Playback Theatre?
This is a theatre form based on improvisation and ithas been practised in over 30 countries in the world!In playback theatre event, an audience member tells areal feeling or story from their life situations,chooses actors to play the different roles and watchesas their story is given artistic shape and coherence.It is all about respect, sharing real stories, connecting individuals to each other, and creating a deeper sense of community.

Disclaimer: This performance is rated 'G'

Welcome to Tapestry Playback Theatre Singapore!

This is ze place for all of you who are curious

about Playback Theatre in Singapore.

Please come and visit this blog for updates

about upcoming workshops and performances in 2005/2006

TOO BUSY FOR YOU!

This is new theatre form for me. I've been stretched this year with Tapestry Playback Theatre group to grow in improvisation. I like to think of Playback Theatre as "Who's Line is it Anyway" with a purpose. We take stories from the audience and play it back for them in different ways.



This coming Saturday is my second forray into a performance. Tapestry has been performing in Choa Chu Kang (that's pretty far out of the downtown area) but this time around it will be held in our new home. We are moving this Monday (We're spending our last 2 nights in Tampines among a LOT of boxes. (We're excited about the move to town!) Check out the view!


"TOO BUSY FOR YOU! - Life in Singapore"
Are you too busy for me? If you're reading from Singapore, come check it out and give me a housewarming by telling one of your stories about life in the fast lane of Singapore!

Emsemble: Agnes Law (Conductor)
Anne Chua (Actor / Musician)
Sia Ee Mien (Actor)
Kimberly Creasman (Actor)
Jerry Louis (Actor / Musician)

Date: Saturday 4 June 2005

Time: 8pm (Please be seated by 7.30pm)

Venue: Private Apartment in Teresa Ville,
1007, Lower Delta Road, #23-04

Ticket price: $10* pp
(Seats are limited, call early to avoid disappointment)

*Special 10% discount for groups of 5 and students
Confirmation of your tickets through cash / cheque payment within a
week of booking. Please call or sms Jerry at 90093679 if you would
have queries.

"Till We Meet Again" Tapestry and Invited artists
have a great night playing back stories about
reunions and farewells.