It is always exciting to prepare for a show!
One may ask, if in Playback Theatre the show is unscripted and improvised, then what are we rehearsing? The show for us , is like entering the unknown zone, not knowing who will share the stories, what will be the nature of stories coming our way, how will I enact and how will my chemistry with my co-actors show up.
The rehearsal is the preparation for this unknown. A great simulation of the VUCA world, I would say! It is a place where we practice connecting with each other (how we do that perhaps can be another post) and build our collective container. The strength of this container goes a long way in creating the psychological safety of the performing space, where the audience member feels safe to open up and share their story. We practice to sharpen our senses, to listen to stories with the full body and fearlessly allow the expression of what was said, and what was unsaid.
At one of our performances, my co-actor started singing a song while depicting the scene of a group of friends at a picnic, when their car broke down. At the end of the enactment when I asked the “teller” if the enactment resonated with her, she said, “Yes! this is exactly how things happened! What I am most amazed though, is how did you know that is my favorite song?”
Ofcourse, the team was taken aback to hear that!
Was that Magic? Good preparation? Being open to space? Simple “coincidence” ? What made that happen? We do believe that in our work with the unknown, when we trust the space, surrender and really play heartfully – the intuitive being opens up into the larger field and receives that which our logical mind cannot. I haven’t mastered this art, but moments like this make me want to keep practicing.
