Why Play?

November 28, 2016

play

 

Playfulness – we don’t get enough of it as adults. Play is an antidote to the stresses of getting ahead in life. Play brings us to the present moment, the connected moment, the fun moment the expansive moment – and who doesn’t want more of that in this life!?

 

Sometimes we don’t know how lucky we are at Playback Theatre Sydney. Recently, at one of our weekly rehearsals, an invited speaker remarked on what fun it was – ‘an evening of play’. And yes, a core practice of performing Improv theatre is the ability to be playful.

 

At each of our weekly rehearsals we consciously exercise our sense of playfulness. We do this through engaging playful games which shift our focus from the logical, thinking and serious part of our consciousness to being truly in the present. Even childhood games such as Tag or Grandmothers Footsteps involve moving our bodies quickly so physical tension is released, laughter erupts from our connection with one another, the need to compete fades as we embrace a wider focus on the group.

 

Every week we release the firm hold of being literal and task driven – to a playful being – a lateral, embodied, expressive, energetic, emotional and present state of mind. Yes it’s that good!

 

This fuels the energy and connection in the group, opens our hearts and stills our minds, sparks up our creativity and we nearly always leave the rehearsals refreshed.

 

By moving our body, playing games, laughing being silly we open ourselves to a different way of being and this changes the way we relate.

 

Work and play are words used to describe the same thing under differing conditions – Mark Twain

 

Often as adults we need to be given permission to let go and allow ourselves to just PLAY – to give time for ourselves to engage in activities for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose. Which is why our first class of Playback Learning in March 2017 is a whole day focused on play and playfulness for adults.

 

Give yourself permission to be silly, be open to feelings, to respond to impulses, be 100% present, see one another and PLAY the game. It brings an energy all of its own. Register here for the March 2017 workshop.


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