Status Quo: Melbourne Playback 2026 Public Season

status quo; “the state of things”

In a world experiencing conflict, climate change, political upheaval, technological disruption and shifting social norms, how do we find our footing?

What do we hold fast to?

What do we let go of?

And what stories are we telling ourselves about the future?

Join Melbourne Playback Theatre Company for a weekend of events where your stories become theatre. Because in times of change, sharing our stories and listening deeply to each other may be one of the few things that helps us make sense of where we are and where we’re going.

Book here: https://events.humanitix.com/melbourne-playback-august-public-shows

Themes and Special Guests:

Each show focusses on a different part of our lives, and includes guest speakers to bring life to the themes before we invite the audience to share stories. These remarkable speakers each speak deeply and honestly about their work in these areas.

Friday 28th August, 7pm – Status Quo: Growing up, being seen, belonging

An evening exploring the lived experiences of trans and gender-diverse young people, and the role we all play in creating communities where everyone can flourish.

Guest Speakers

• Ez (Transgender Victoria) – LGBTQIA+ advocate, educator and community leader.
• Hayden Williams (they/them) – Mental health clinician specialising in gender-affirming care for trans and gender-diverse young people.
• Nevo Zisin – Writer, educator and public speaker exploring gender diversity, belonging and inclusion through storytelling and lived experience.
• Archie Beetle – Trans advocate, educator and community leader working to advance inclusion, equity and understanding for trans and gender-diverse communities.

Saturday 29th August, 2pm – Status Quo: Finding hope in a Changing Climate

Exploring how we respond to climate change through both the head and the heart, and the stories that inspire resilience, action and hope.

Guest Speakers

• Dr Linden Ashcroft (University of Melbourne) – Climate scientist and science communicator specialising in climate variability, extremes and making climate science accessible and engaging.
• Dr Beth Hill (Psychologists for a Safe Climate) – Anthropologist, facilitator and mindfulness teacher exploring the emotional and cultural dimensions of climate change.

Saturday 29th August, 7pm – Status Quo: Many cultures. Shared futures.

A conversation about belonging, multiculturalism and the importance of standing against racism and Islamophobia through story, connection and community.

Guest Speakers

• MC: Beray Uzunbay – Lawyer, educator, artist and comedian advocating for social justice and inclusion.
• Dr Senem Eren (Centre for Muslim Wellbeing) – Perspectives on culturally safe communities and mental wellbeing.
• Mursal Sadat – Afghanistan Women’s National Soccer Team player and youth advocate for women and refugees.
• Dr Umber Rind – Director of First Crossings Advisory, GP, anti-racism strategist and public health leader specialising in cultural safety and equity.

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Accompanying Events: 

We are thrilled to include two one-off events in this season, click the links to find out more and book:

Improvisation Techniques for Strong Playback (Friday 28th August, 1-5.30pm): https://melbourneplayback.com.au/whats-on/workshop-improvisation-techniques-for-strong-playback/

Playback Jam (Sunday 30th August, 10-2.30pm): https://melbourneplayback.com.au/whats-on/melbourne-playback-hosts-a-facilitated-playback-jam/

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What is Playback Theatre? In a Melbourne Playback performance the audience’s stories and experiences are the content of the performance. Through dialogue with a skilled playback facilitator, individuals share perspectives, ideas, moments and events from their lives. Then our team of professional actors and musicians bring these stories to life and into focus in a way that is entertaining, surprising, illuminating and transformative. Our facilitators are trained to gather stories from a wide variety of voices in the room, giving everyone the opportunity to hear the different perspectives of people in the audience. A whole range of experience can be explored in a Melbourne Playback performance, from complex work environments to end of year celebrations. A performance will leave an audience more aware and attuned to the complexity of experience, more emotionally connected to each other and thoroughly entertained.

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Interested in what Playback Theatre could offer your organisation?

If you want to work with us but would like to experience our work first, to attend an invite only session on Thursday 26th August, with two of our collaborators in the leadership and organisational development space. Complete the form here to enquire: https://forms.gle/3tBjBvVvwy1oPB7x7

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About the imagery

We’ve given a nod to a classic piece of surrealist art in our poster this year – René Magritte’s The Treachery of Images (La Trahison des images) from 1929, the one with ‘ceci n’est pas une pipe’, ‘this is not a pipe’ (see here).

Some say that Magritte sought to evoke ‘mystère’ through his work, meaning “the ineffable alienness beneath the surface familiarity of the world.” Something about this sang out as we began thinking about and looking at the sometimes surreal status quo we currently find ourselves in, asking – is this progress?

Is this (humanity/democracy/peace/equality and so on and on and on)…?

The surreal meeting the surreal. Or something.

In related news, the away kit of the The Belgian National Team for the 2026 World Cup was a tribute to René Magritte and Belgian Surrealism, with the inscription “Ceci n’est pas un maillot” (“This is not a jersey”) printed behind the collar.

When

Shows

Friday 28th August, 7pm-9pm

Saturday 29th August, 2pm-4pm

Saturday 29th August, 7pm-9pm

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Accompanying Events

Improvisation Technique for Strong Playback: Friday 28th August, 1pm-5.30pm

Playback Jam: Sunday 30th August, 10am-2.30pm

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Invite-only client event: Thursday 27th August – enquire here: https://forms.gle/3tBjBvVvwy1oPB7x7

Where

Brunswick Mechanics Institute, 270 Sydney Rd, Brunswick

Google Maps link here

Tickets

General: $30

Playback Superfan: $40

Concession: $25

Mob Tix: $10

Group of 7 (Buy 5, get 2 free): $150

Book Tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/melbourne-playback-august-public-shows