Markeplace of sessions: Hobart 2017
The last Australasian Playback gathering was in Hobart in 2017. So much has happened since then. Covid really tested us all and we are still feeling the impact. In particular, as many of us jumped online to stay connected, the pandemic opened our eyes to the broader international Playback Theatre community, and to the sometimes challenging social and political contexts of our collective practice. The 2025 Australasian gathering is a timely opportunity to get together to see where we are all placed now, where we want Australasian Playback to go and what support and training will help get us there.
Our theme ‘Playing it Forward’ captures a sense of both looking back in appreciation and looking forward with inspiration.
To further stimulate your thinking and to seek your feedback the gathering organising group has developed a draft statement of values. This represents our aspirations for the way we plan the gathering but also offers an invitation for the playback community to adopt such a statement,
Please note that this event is for those with experience of Playback theatre. This experience includes new members of companies and may be as little as being a participant in a playback workshop - it is not designed for those with no experience of Playback. For those who are new members of a Playback company this is a great chance to be inspired by what is happening in companies from across the region.
Gathering timing, location and costs
The gathering is from Friday 4pm March 21 through to Monday 24 March at 2pm. Following feedback that some find it challenging to lose two days of work (Friday and Monday) we sent a survey through our Company contacts seeking input on that timing. The feedback we received was that while some do find a program across three nights impossible to manage, the bulk were in favour of a program across three nights.
The Tops Conference Centre in Stanwell Tops. Stanwell Tops is on Dharawal land around an hour and a half or so south of the Sydney CBD at the northern tip of the beautiful Illawarra region of NSW. If you visit the venue website you’ll see that we will not be the only ones there - but we will have our own separate accommodation block and spaces to work in. Accommodation will be shared (2-3 in a room).
Registration information (registration is through the Humanitix site)
Waitlist and balances and donations
While we have filled all of the available spaces we do encourage anyone still interested in attending to join our waitlist. It is likely some who have registered will not be able to attend and we will certainly go to our waitlist. There is no cost to join the waitlist. Please join the waitlist through the Humanitix site.
Balances for those who have registered will be payable in February. Registrants will be notified when it is possible to pay a balance.
Please note that it is still possible to add a donation. Donations have assisted by providing full or half scholarships to nine participants and will continue to assist those with heavier travel costs to attend.
Registration types
Full registration: Payable by those in substantially full time employment or otherwise able to afford the full fee.
(Onsite: $580 and deposit of $100 by 8 November) (Offsite $460 and deposit of $50 by 8 November)
Concession registration: For those on low incomes, students and recipients of Government benefits.
(Onsite: $480 and deposit of $100 by 8 November) (Offsite $360 and deposit of $50 by 8 November)
Remote location registration: For those travelling from Darwin, Perth and New Zealand, there is a 20% discount on the registration fee in recognition of the travel costs involved.
(Onsite only: Full registration $464 and deposit of $100 by 8 November) (Concession $368 and deposit of $50 by 8 November)
Accommodation and meal options
On-site: This option includes all meals and accommodation. Accommodation is in shared rooms with either two or three people to a room.
Off-site: This option includes lunch and dinner only.
The venue can accommodate a wide range of dietary requirements. More information closer to the time of the event.
Scholarships
In a spirit of inclusion and in recognition of the need to include a diversity of participants we have assisted nine participants who have financial challenges to attend. Scholarships have now closed
Program
There will be two components to the gathering program:
On each morning participants will attend a home group. This closed group of up to 15 people offers an opportunity to develop closer connections, to explore aspects of the theme and values statement and to process participant’s experience of the gathering. Home groups will be lead by one or two experienced playbackers. Invitations to lead a home group will be sent in November once participation is confirmed.
Most of the program will be delivered using the ‘Open Space’ philosophy. Open Space has a focus on ensuring that the program is driven and developed in the moment by the interests, needs, and skills of those present at the gathering. Two previous gatherings have very successfully used this approach.
There will be a number of Playback performances. If you are coming with enough of your company members you can offer to perform as a group (perhaps with a guest or two). There will also be the opportunity for pick-up performances by playbackers who connect at the event.
Co-ordinating Committee
This gathering is being coordinated by Sara Scrutton (Darwin) Jen Barrkman (Red Thread Stories) Gerry Orkin (Wollongong) Emily Conolan (Hobart Playback) Paolo Bartolomei (Melbourne Playback) and Michael Pooley (Sydney Playback)