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Jo Salas

    This author crafts both fiction and nonfiction, frequently exploring a unique theatrical form where audience members share personal stories that are then instantly enacted. Their short stories have graced literary journals and anthologies, with some earning accolades or recognition. The author's prose delves into the intricacies of human experience, offering sensitive portrayals of relationships. Their work investigates how individual narratives can foster collective understanding and empathy.

    Playback-Theater
    Mrs. Lowe-Porter
    Personal Stories in Public Spaces
    Improvising Real Life
    Do My Story, Sing My Song
    Dancing with Diana
    • 2024

      Mrs. Lowe-Porter

      • 286 pages
      • 11 hours of reading

      Focusing on the life of Mrs. Lowe-Porter, this biographical novel brings to life the aspirations and experiences of the author's grandmother-in-law, whom she never met. Through vivid imagination and rich storytelling, Jo Salas crafts a narrative that captures the essence of her subject's journey, ultimately presenting a significant literary accomplishment that resonates with readers. The book intertwines personal history with broader themes, creating a compelling portrait of a remarkable woman.

      Mrs. Lowe-Porter
    • 2021

      Personal Stories in Public Spaces

      Essays on Playback Theatre by Its Founders

      • 320 pages
      • 12 hours of reading

      Interactive performance and community engagement are at the heart of Playback Theatre, which originated in 1975 in the Mid Hudson Valley of New York. This unique art form, now practiced in 70 countries, involves teams of actors and musicians who listen to audience stories and spontaneously enact them without scripts or rehearsals. By fostering dialogue and connection, Playback Theatre creates a shared experience that emphasizes the power of storytelling in diverse contexts.

      Personal Stories in Public Spaces
    • 2019

      Do My Story, Sing My Song

      Music therapy and Playback Theatre with troubled children

      • 182 pages
      • 7 hours of reading

      Focusing on the resilience and creativity of children facing severe emotional disturbances, the book shares the experiences of those at a treatment center in New York. Through Jo Salas's innovative drama and music program, these young survivors of neglect and violence find their voices amidst trauma. Their stories reveal a profound desire to express themselves, connect with others, and support their peers, highlighting the transformative power of art and community in healing.

      Do My Story, Sing My Song
    • 2019

      Improvising Real Life

      • 178 pages
      • 7 hours of reading

      Describes the origins, practice, and principles of Playback Theatre, an original form of interactive, improvisation theatre based on true stories told by audience members and enacted on the spot.

      Improvising Real Life
    • 2015

      Dancing with Diana

      • 158 pages
      • 6 hours of reading

      A bright young man with cerebral palsy finds his life unexpectedly connected to Princess Diana, exploring themes of resilience and the impact of public figures on personal journeys. As their paths cross, the narrative delves into the challenges he faces and the transformative effects of their relationship, highlighting the intersection of disability, hope, and royal influence.

      Dancing with Diana
    • 1998

      'Dieses Buch beschreibt eine Form der Improvisation. Sie beruht auf Geschichten von mehr oder weniger alltäglichen Ereignissen, die bei einer Vorstellung erzählt werden – Träume, Erinnerungen, Phantasien, Tragödien und Farcen: Momentaufnahmen aus dem Leben wirklicher Menschen. Diese Improvisation ist leicht zugänglich und macht Spaß, sie findet in Theatern statt, aber auch außerhalb – tatsächlich funktioniert sie in jeder Umgebung. Ob von routinierten Schauspielern oder Anfängern praktiziert, das Playback-Theater würdigt die Erfahrung einzelner und die Beziehungen zwischen Menschen – durch ihre Geschichten.'Jo Salas

      Playback-Theater