Join American Artist John Johnson in a 2-hour Playback Theatre masterclass this August. This is a free professional development opportunity for Scottish Artists offered by Glass Performance and supported Creative Scotland.

Playback Theatre is interactive, improvisational theatre, that retells audience members shared stories through movement, dance, and acting. This is an art from that gives the microphone to the people and honors the “storyteller”. Playback Theater can be used in a variety of settings, such as exploring conflict resolution, team building, and adapting to organizational change. Storytelling is a sure way to evoke empathy and build bridges across differences.

We will tell stories with our entire body so we ask that you wear comfortable clothing you can move around in. Come with an open mind and heart. We will be exploring our own personal stories. All of the content/stories will come from community. Community member will also retell and Playback shared stories.

John A Johnson is a Poet/Playwright and native Washingtonian. He is the founder and creator of Verbal Gymnastics an interactive theater company where storytelling meets community. Mr. Johnson holds a B.A in Theater Arts from The University of the District of Columbia. He has worked as a drama therapist in partnership with the District’s Youth Services Center. Mr. Johnson is a published author, who has written and produced six plays that reflect and celebrate the culture of his native city Washington DC. He is a three-time Artist Fellow of the DC Arts Commission. His most recent contribution is to a radio project at American University WAMU 88.5 in conjunction with the Association of Independent Radio call “Anacostia Unmapped”, which captures the narratives of local residents in rapidly changing communities “East of the River” in Washington D.C. Mr. Johnson uses innovative forms of theater/storytelling to foster meaningful discussions about race, cultural preservation, and the effects of economic development in Washington, D.C.