Synopsis:
Playback Theatre is an interactive and improvisational form of theatre where audience members share personal stories, which actors and musicians instantly bring to life on stage. Founded in 1975 by Jonathan Fox and Jo Salas, this unique art form blends oral traditions, psychodrama, and communal storytelling to foster empathy, reflection, and connection. Now practiced in over 70 countries, it thrives in schools, workplaces, therapy, and community spaces, bridging cultural divides and sparking dialogue.
Our theme, Wisdom of Life, explores the lessons that shape us—some gentle, others transformative—each enriching our understanding of what it means to be human. By bringing personal narratives to the stage, we honor life’s complexity, celebrating both struggles and triumphs. In sharing stories, we create a space where every experience, no matter how big or small, resonates with others, reminding us of our shared journey toward meaning and growth.
About the Team Leaders:
Gunjan Dixit is a theatre practitioner, director, and educator specializing in applied theatre and socially engaged performance. A Chevening Scholar with a Master’s in Applied Theatre and Intervention from the University of Leeds, she co-founded Phulbari Playback Theatre in Nepal and has performed internationally. Her work integrates Playback Theatre, Theatre of the Oppressed, and interactive storytelling to foster dialogue and social transformation.
Ingi Hopo Koinch Sunuwar is a visionary Nepali theatre artist known for his work as an actor, director, writer, facilitator, and designer. Since his acclaimed debut in JAAR: Bhayekai Euta Katha with Mandala Theatre in 2014, he has continually pushed creative boundaries. Founder of Mamaa Arts Pvt. Ltd. and co-founder of Phulbari Playback Theatre, his performances bridge cultures and inspire audiences worldwide. Through innovative storytelling and technical artistry, he continues to make a profound impact on global theatre.
Team Leaders' Note:
At Phulbari Playback Theatre, we believe every personal story holds a kernel of wisdom, waiting to be unearthed through the power of shared experience. Through this performance, we gather stories—of joy, heartbreak, intuition, love, and resilience—that encapsulate the myriad lessons life offers. Presenting our playback theatre performance at an international festival is more than just a show; it is an opportunity to embrace narratives from every corner of the globe. On this global stage, we anticipate stories that traverse diverse cultures, languages, and life experiences. Each narrative contributes a unique insight into the universal quest for meaning and connection. By inviting contributions from around the world, we celebrate a mosaic of human wisdom—stories that echo the shared emotions and challenges that bind us all. This enriching blend of experiences not only deepens our own understanding but also fosters a global dialogue on the complexities of the human condition. In essence, our performance becomes a living tapestry where every thread of personal history interweaves with another, highlighting that the lessons of life—be they easy, hard, intuitive, or steeped in love—are as diverse as the people who share them.
About the Group:
Phulbari Playback Theatre is a collective dedicated to celebrating the diversity of human experiences. Much like a garden that blooms with flowers of various colors and forms, our group seeks to embrace and portray stories from all walks of life, highlighting their unique authenticity and beauty. Through the art of Playback Theatre, we aim to create a safe, inclusive space where individuals can share their narratives and see them transformed into moving, improvisational performances. Phulbari Playback Theatre strives to foster connection, empathy, and understanding by bringing diverse voices together into a shared space.
Cast and Crew
Contact Details:
Synopsis:
Playback Theatre is an interactive and improvisational form of theatre where audience members share personal stories, which actors and musicians instantly bring to life on stage. Founded in 1975 by Jonathan Fox and Jo Salas, this unique art form blends oral traditions, psychodrama, and communal storytelling to foster empathy, reflection, and connection. Now practiced in over 70 countries, it thrives in schools, workplaces, therapy, and community spaces, bridging cultural divides and sparking dialogue.
Our theme, Wisdom of Life, explores the lessons that shape us—some gentle, others transformative—each enriching our understanding of what it means to be human. By bringing personal narratives to the stage, we honor life’s complexity, celebrating both struggles and triumphs. In sharing stories, we create a space where every experience, no matter how big or small, resonates with others, reminding us of our shared journey toward meaning and growth.
About the Team Leaders:
Gunjan Dixit is a theatre practitioner, director, and educator specializing in applied theatre and socially engaged performance. A Chevening Scholar with a Master’s in Applied Theatre and Intervention from the University of Leeds, she co-founded Phulbari Playback Theatre in Nepal and has performed internationally. Her work integrates Playback Theatre, Theatre of the Oppressed, and interactive storytelling to foster dialogue and social transformation.
Ingi Hopo Koinch Sunuwar is a visionary Nepali theatre artist known for his work as an actor, director, writer, facilitator, and designer. Since his acclaimed debut in JAAR: Bhayekai Euta Katha with Mandala Theatre in 2014, he has continually pushed creative boundaries. Founder of Mamaa Arts Pvt. Ltd. and co-founder of Phulbari Playback Theatre, his performances bridge cultures and inspire audiences worldwide. Through innovative storytelling and technical artistry, he continues to make a profound impact on global theatre.
Team Leaders' Note:
At Phulbari Playback Theatre, we believe every personal story holds a kernel of wisdom, waiting to be unearthed through the power of shared experience. Through this performance, we gather stories—of joy, heartbreak, intuition, love, and resilience—that encapsulate the myriad lessons life offers. Presenting our playback theatre performance at an international festival is more than just a show; it is an opportunity to embrace narratives from every corner of the globe. On this global stage, we anticipate stories that traverse diverse cultures, languages, and life experiences. Each narrative contributes a unique insight into the universal quest for meaning and connection. By inviting contributions from around the world, we celebrate a mosaic of human wisdom—stories that echo the shared emotions and challenges that bind us all. This enriching blend of experiences not only deepens our own understanding but also fosters a global dialogue on the complexities of the human condition. In essence, our performance becomes a living tapestry where every thread of personal history interweaves with another, highlighting that the lessons of life—be they easy, hard, intuitive, or steeped in love—are as diverse as the people who share them.
About the Group:
Phulbari Playback Theatre is a collective dedicated to celebrating the diversity of human experiences. Much like a garden that blooms with flowers of various colors and forms, our group seeks to embrace and portray stories from all walks of life, highlighting their unique authenticity and beauty. Through the art of Playback Theatre, we aim to create a safe, inclusive space where individuals can share their narratives and see them transformed into moving, improvisational performances. Phulbari Playback Theatre strives to foster connection, empathy, and understanding by bringing diverse voices together into a shared space.
Cast and Crew
Contact Details:
