Portland Playback Artistic Director David LaGraffe gives an interview about what makes Playback Theater such a powerful tool to honor people’s stories.

Greetings Playback Fans,
My little brother Howie and I rolled around on the carpet, had pillow fights and giggled incessantly. He was also my victim, as I jumped out of the closet, scaring the daylights out of him, teasing him and tricking him mercilessly. My older, more serious brother was a distant figure who stayed quite clear of me.
We wonder how our experiences with our siblings have shaped our lives. Have you been, or are you now, in a sibling rivalry? What stories might you share in which a brother or sister has a major role? We would love to honor your story by improvisation- ally ennacting it at our monthly First Friday performance. Bring a story, or just come to enjoy this unique community event. You’ll be glad you did.
Best,
David LaGraffe

The Details:
March 2nd at 7:30 PM. Bring a friend! $5 at the door. No reservations. CTN5 Studio, 516 Congress Street, Portland

This month’s Actors: Margi Huber, Kym Dakin, Marcia Pitcher, Sandra Sneiderman and Colin O’Leary
Conductor: Gracie Cleaves

Community Television 5 — Portland Playback’s new home at 516 Congress Street — featured the company in a new series about Portland’s art scene.  Go to the last seven minutes of the video to hear interviews from company members about the work we do, and witness our creative process behind the scenes.

In September, Portland Playback was honored to be able to perform at TEDx Dirigo: Latitudes conference (Maine’s own version of the TED talks).  Here is video from the performance, where we talk about the power of story and improvisation, and play back some stories and feelings from this very powerful day.

Channel 6 interviews company member Marcia Pitcher about the dead Portlanders we’ll be bringing back to life in Eastern Cemetery on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (Oct. 20-22) from 6:30-7:30.

For the second straight year, Portland Playback is partnering with Spirits Alive to bring some of Portland’s historic ghosts back to life.

Join us for an evening walk through Eastern Cemetery and listen to them recall tales of their lives in Portland–and deaths on the high seas.  This year, selected spirits were taken in tragic shipwrecks.  They come from the past and the briny deep to bring you a message.  What is it?  You’ll have to walk among the shadows to find out.

Actors from Portland Playback will be channeling these spirits October 20, 21, and 22 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) from 6:30-7:30.  Tours leave every 15 minutes; $10 at the gate, and $5 for kids under 12.  Proceeds go to preserve Eastern Cemetery.

Get more information at www.spiritsalive.org.

Dear friends of Portland Playback,

Our First Friday theme for October 7 is Facing Fear. Our internal alarm system serves us well, but sometimes fear itself is our greatest challenge. As a matter of cold fact, Fear, with a capital F, may be the most fundamental emotional background of what we are as human beings.

Do you have a story of a time when fear was front and center? We bet you do. Come and share your story – or just come to witness.

Portland Playback Theatre is now in its sixth year and has “played back” hundreds of stories. If you haven’t had your story improvisationally enacted you’re really missing something!

Friday, October 7, 7:30 PM at CTN5, right next to MECA, at 516 Congress Street.

$5 at the door

Portland Playback is moving! But not far …

Our monthly First Friday performances will now be held at CTN5, the community television network studio at 516 Congress Street, right next door to the Maine College of Art. This move will land us right into the middle of the First Friday arts district scene. The move will also provide us with professional theater lighting. (Hurray!) Although we anticipate collaborating with CTN on some video projects, our performances remain live and unrecorded.

Please join us for our first performance at CTN on Friday July 1st. Our theme will be “Bloopers” – stories of your favorite goof-ups and faux pas. Bring a friend! Remember, we’re nothing without you and the stories from your life!

7:30 p.m., just $7 at the door.

First Friday, May 6

Growing Up: Its Joys and Torments.

This month’s theme is Growing Up. Our memories of childhood range from the sublime to the ridiculous. When did you realize you’d turned the corner from childhood to being a “grown up”? Or what times have challenged you to think if you’d grown up at all? Grow up all over again with Portland Playback.

Every month Portland Playback Theater puts five talented actors at your disposal to play back the moments of your life, unrehearsed and on the spot. Now in our sixth year, we have brought hundreds of audience stories back to life. Find out more at www.portlandplayback.com.

We perform at the First Parish Church, at the intersection of Congress and Temple (just up from the Nickelodeon). Friday, May 6 at 7:30.

$7 suggested donation