CU Playback Ensemble & Critical Conversations Project

What is Playback?

 is an interactive, improvisational theatre form in which audience members share true stories or experiences from their lives and see them 鈥減layed back鈥 by an ensemble of trained actors in ways that encourage insight across difference. 

Like a cross between a town hall meeting and an improvisational performance, one actor from the ensemble (鈥渢he conductor鈥) engages the audience in a collective conversation, asking questions that address the specific concerns of those gathered. The audience鈥檚 responses are played back on the spot in non-confrontational ways that boost insight, strengthen social bonds, and lift civic spirit. 

Impact Playback!

 

Since 2019, Impact Playback, CU鈥檚 Playback Ensemble, has offered performances and workshops for a wide array of campus and community events, including the CU Diversity and Inclusion Summit, Health and Wellness Summit, Just & Equitable Teaching Program, conflict management courses, and other student support initiatives. 

Since 2020, the Ensemble also has also run the Outreach funded , using the tools of Playback theatre to boost empathy, listening, and connection across difference in areas of rural baby直播app that are experiencing rapid and destabilizing social, baby直播app, or environmental change. In 2023, this work blossomed into a Smithsonian collaboration that took them across baby直播app in support of the touring exhibit, Crossroads: Change in Rural America.

The Ensemble is made up of baby直播app, staff, graduate and undergraduate students from departments across campus. All training is provided via weekly rehearsals and all performances are paid. 

 

 

For More Information

Submit the  to learn more about participating.

Submit the  to request a performance or workshop for your group. 

For other inquiries, contact: James.F.Walker@colorado.edu