Beginnings

A conversation at the 2017 Playback Gathering in Hobart recognised a gap in training opportunities in Australasia for playback practitioners outside what is delivered by individual companies. The group recognised that there is vast experience in our ranks and that there is a need to make this experience more available in ways that allow for deeper engagement than is possible at gathering sessions. There was also a strong acknowledgement of the important role that the NZ summer school had on playback development in our region. 

Following a survey of the playback community a broad cross-section of practitioners decided to support this initiative of an Australasian Playback School. 

At a teleconference in September 2017 a decision was taken to begin offering training that would be hosted by a particular company with input from a couple of representatives from the broader community. Sydney Playback Theatre offered to host the first event and worked with practitioners from Perth, the Blue Mountains and Wellington to organise the first event ‘Deepening Relationships in Playback Theatre’ . 

Those on our initial teleconference recognised that there is work to be done to identify the most practical 'governance' model for an Australasian School but the model of the event being hosted by a company with input from others appeared to be a good initial model for the School. Establishing a board, or committee to run the school was discussed and this may be a conversation that needs to happen again at some point

The first event, sponsored by Playback Theatre Sydney, happened in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney in November 2018. The second event was hosted by the Brisbane Playback in July 2019. Melbourne Playback offered to host the third event in 2020 and we had a great program planned before Covid got in the way. In 2022 a small group of practitioners rather than a company organised an online school event.

In 2023 a small group of practitioners planned a fourth event face to face, again in the Blue Mountains. Unfortunately there was not enough interest to make that happen. That group of planners then decided it was time to hold the next gathering and this came about in March 2025. This was held under the auspices of Playback Theatre Sydney.

The school does not belong to anyone and the hope is that it provides a framework that can be used in many different ways for the development of playback skills across the region.

Goals

Put simply the goal of the Australasian School of Playback is to provide an opportunity for all playback practitioners around the region to learn from some of the most experienced practitioners and trainers in the world. In this region we have an abundance of experience and we want to unlock that so that everyone can benefit. We also have playbackers with links to the most experienced trainers across the globe.

While the school did host the gathering in 2025, at its heart the school, is about the opportunity to work intensively with a small group, guided by facilitators with significant experience. The goal is to raise the quality of our individual playback practice and the practice of our companies as we challenge and learn from each other.

While not the main focus, the School will also support in whatever way it can other Playback learning events and gatherings.