Performance Announcement!

We are excited to announce that on Wednesday, May 31st at 7:30 pm, Red Threads of Peace Playback will be presenting "Transitions: A Playback Performance" at the Gas Station Arts Centre. 

Admission is by donation, which will go to the Gas Station Arts Centre, a long time supporter and friend of Red Threads. 

It's our first open, public performance - we'd love for you to join us! Check out the details in the poster below and spread the word!

Help Save ARTBEAT!

Artbeat Studios must raise $150,000 by April 30th to continue providing services that directly benefit individuals living with mental illness. We have had the honour of collaborating with Artbeat Studio Inc and we've seen the power of the work they do. 

They have proven that art saves lives, so let's band together and save Artbeat!

http://artbeatstudio.ca/go/artbeat-studio-fundraiser/

Stories of Transformation with Eden Health Care Services

On March 16th, six of our troupe members braved the blustery, icy highway to perform at Eden Health Care Services' "Stories of Transformation" Dessert Night in Steinbach, Manitoba. We were ready and excited to support Eden Health, which provides a range of services that empower people with mental health needs in Steinbach and the surrounding community.

We arrived at the Fellowship Hall of Steinbach Mennonite Church soaked and chilled, but were warmed and inspired by the courage of four individuals who shared their mental health journeys. Hearing their stories as well as meeting special guest, Dancing Gabe, was an honour for all of us. At the end of the night, Steinbach's city slogan rang true: It was definitely "worth the trip!"

Red Threads troupe members (L to R): Brad Leitch, Robin Shugart, Loc Lu, and Elena Anciro

Red Threads' fearless leader/ conductor, Dana Rungay, listening to Dancing Gabe's story.

In response to our performance, Eden Health's Director of Development, Earl D. Reimer said:

Thanks to the troupe for a well presented evening. What is notable for me is the fact that the ensemble presented highly sensitive and personal mental health stories in a compassionate manner and “never crossed the line." This was very well done. People I talked to all found different points of reference for their own stories. I also spent time watching the story contributors and it was noteworthy to see the level of engagement that each of them had with your presentation.

If you would like more information on Eden Health Care Services and the important work they do, visit their website: edenhealthcare.ca

How Training with Sheila Donio Deepened our Love of Playback

Playback newcomers and veterans joined international trainer Sheila Donio, February 18-21 at the Gas Station Arts Centre to explore, revisit, refine and deepen Playback Theatre forms.  

Participants included Red Threads of Peace troupe members as well as educators, actors, social activists, and therapists from diverse Winnipeg communities: Newcomer and refugee, theatre and school system.  

Veteran troupe members found themselves “falling in love” all over again with the classic playback forms and the depth of storytelling they offer. Newcomers wondered where playback had been all their lives and enthusiastically embraced the new learning.  

Sheila's guidance cultivated a sense of belonging and safety within the group that magnified our capacity to build confidence and artistically express. For Red Threads, it not only solidified our troupe, but created a renewed energy and excitement to our work, which has been evident in the discoveries we've made during our playdates/performances since the training!

A huge THANK YOU to The Winnipeg Foundation, the Montreal International Conference Committee and the Gas Station Arts Centre for making this international-level training accessible to us. And of course, we express our immense gratitude to Sheila for sharing her gifts, experience and knowledge. 

At the end of our workshops, we often close by asking each participant to summarize their experience in one word and it was no surprise that the response from all participants was “EXCELLENT!”

Feedback Friday!

We know you are dying to hear about our amazing adventure with Brazilian Playback Trainer, Sheila Donio, but first we want to share some feedback from two of our recent performances. Here's what people had to say about their Red Threads experience:

Studio Central Performance for the Writers’ Group

‘Red Threads of Peace Playback Theatre’ performance at Studio Central had a very profound effect on all of us in attendance. Thank you all for this. 

There were many highlights… firstly we were in awe by the spontaneous enactment of a story or a simple idea offered by a member of the audience. Secondly, your ability to tease out a story line from the audience for the actors to work with is so remarkable. I was very impressed by each of you who took time out of your busy schedules to bring this form of drama to our participants (especially the writers group). 

On behalf of all of us at Studio Central, thank you for this cathartic experience!" 

- Ernie Bart, Studio Central Board Member

Studio Central is a project of Artbeat Studio Inc. Programming at Studio Central aims to facilitate the production of art as a means of inspiring personal passion, connecting generations, bridging diverse groups, and serving as a catalyzing symbol of the people as a community. Alumni of Artbeat Studio’s core program gain ‘career path’ momentum by participating in the implementation of a comprehensive community-based arts program.

Reconciliation Dialogues in Multicultural Parishes Performance

"I take this opportunity to thank all the members of the Playback Theatre for helping us to dialogue between diverse cultures that are represented in our faith communities: St. John Cantius and St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parishes.

Personally, I was impressed how they played back peoples’ stories in a synchronized manner and well minded way, capturing and expanding the meaning of the stories. They created a space of comfort and trust before we went to work in the small groups. I am hoping that they will continue to help us in our future dialogue events.

Thanks a million to each one of you."

- Fr. Nicanor Sarmiento, OMI & St. Kateri Tekakwitha Aboriginal Parish

The interaction helped everyone get connected to the emotions of the person who was telling their story. I found a lot of connection! I am a blind person, but I was able to see it all in my head -- like a slide-show in my head. I even felt the music. The music is what brought everything together. The way he played the music made me really feel the emotion that was being played by the actors. 

- George, audience member

New Troupe Member Bios!

We are happy to announce that our "newest" troupe members have been added to the blog! Brad and Tanissa have been playing and performing with us for a while, adding their unique Playback style, empathetic ears, and open hearts to the Red Threads family. By day, Brad is a filmmaker and peacemaker and Tanissa is an Art and Play Therapist. By night, they are Playback ninjas, of course! Read more about Brad and Tanissa on our "Meet Our Troupe" page.

Red Threads of Peace Playback is now on Facebook!

BREAKING NEWS! We now have an official Red Threads of Peace Facebook Page! Our troupe is always looking for ways to connect and we are delighted to reach out in a new way. 

Please drop by and "like" our page by clicking on the Facebook icon on the top right corner of our homepage or the link below. We'll be posting all our updates and exciting news, as well as fun facts about our troupe.

You can find us here: https://www.facebook.com/playbackwinnipeg/

Don't forget to register for Sheila Donio's workshop, which is happening on Feb 18 - 20th. It's a training opportunity you don't want to miss! Click here for more info on Sheila's upcoming visit:

http://www.gasstationtheatre.com/home/events-calendar/display,event/372/b-theatre-training-with-international-trainer-sheila-donio-b