Public Performances in 2013
Please note that our programs are most appropriate for adults and older teens.
Upcoming Shows at the Arlington Center
yoga studios
369 Mass. Ave., Arlington
$15 at the door, $10 low-income, student
Street parking readily available
Saturday May 11, 7:30pm
Close to Home: Stories of Renewal
We'll start by checking what feelings and stories are still with us after the bombing and capture of the bombing suspect. We explore more broadly where we feel unsafe and where we find our strength and wholeness.
Saturday June 8, 7:30pm
Touching the Fire of Empathy
How has empathy healed you and others? Share your experience at a special performance and post-show fundraising reception. Refreshments, an "Untold Stories of True Story Theater" game, and stories about the power of Playback Theatre in Boston and across North America.
Donations to support our community work invited but not required.
Saturday July 13, 7:30pm
Stories of Loss & Healing
When you've lost someone most precious to you, how do you not only deal with the pain but recover and become stronger from it? Stories from audience members, including participants in The Children's Room of Arlington, a thriving program that helps children and families grieve the loss of loved ones.
Saturday Aug 10, 7:30pm
Saturday Sept. 14, 7:30pm
Other Upcoming Performances
Saturday May 18, 7:30pm
At the new Arts League of Lowell space
307 Market St., Lowell, MA
Performance & dialogue exploring partnerships between artists and nonprofits
Admission Free
Thursday May 23,, 7-9:30pm
Two Performances:
And Still We Risewill perform first
and True Story Theater second
Stories of recovery and healing
Hibernian Hall, 182-186 Dudley St., Roxbury
$12 at the door
Monday June 17, 6-7:45pm performance
Community Circle
United Baptist Church, 322 Centre St, JP, MA
go to side door to basement space
no charge --all welcome
Note: This is support circle for people who have been incarcerated, people in recovery from substance abuse, and anyone else who chooses to be a part of it. The group is always open to all. You are invited to come around 5:15pm with a potluck dish if you'd like to join the potluck dinner before the show.
RESCHEDULED-Mon. July 1, 7pm show
Library Alive!: The Story of the Library
Community Room Lower level, Robbins Library
700 Mass. Ave., Arlington MA 
Free -Open to all ages
Funded in part by the Arlington Cultural Council
Private Events
Invite us to come to you! Please consider True Story Theater for your special event.
Here are some past events:
Weddings, Birthdays, Bar Mitvahs
MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Technical Communications Group: for team-building workshop and applying principles of improvisation in the workplace
Sloan School: for MBA students exploring inclusive leadership.
Personal Celebrations: weddings, special birthday, retirement.
Dimock Community Health Center: for at-risk clients on International Aids Day
Vineyard Church: bringing together neighbors in the North Cambridge community across cultural differences
MA Community Development Corporations: for their annual conference
Harvard University: for resident advisors committed to racial awareness
Boston Medical Center: for cancer survivors support groups at the hospital, and also for nurses during honoring nurses week
Homes for Families: for their annual conference
Unitarian Church of Marblehead: for their No Place for Hate network gathering
Project Literacy: to celebrate both tutors and literacy students
Classes
Hearing the Essence of a Story
A Playback Theatre Sampler
4 Sundays: June 9, 16, 23, 30, 7-9:30pm
in Arlington at our home studio
mixed level class--fine for new people to join
Price: $60 for the series or $20 drop in.
Teachers: Christopher Ellinger & guests actors from the troupe
Contact: Christopher[at]TrueStoryTheater.org to reserve a space or ask questions.
8-SESSION: LifePlay Creativity Sampler
Thursday evenings, 7-9:30pm
Date to be determined- 8 week series
at our home studio in Arlington
Contact: Christopher[at] TrueStoryTheater.org
When we do Playback, we get to practice so many juicy qualities: creativity, play, deep listening, imagination, flow, teamwork, storytelling, empathy, embodiment... But why should these qualities be confined a class or performance? Why not enjoy them every day?
"LifePlay" is a word we've invented for the practice of integrating creative play into daily life. This eight week series will explore creative principles and practices drawn not only from Playback Theatre, but also from Interplay, Aikido, Contact Improvisation dance, Theatre of the Oppressed, and vocal improvisation, and look at how they can be applied in ordinary life.
Everyone in the class will experiment during the week with bringing these LifePlay principles into times with friends, family, or work-mates. Together, we'll explore what works and what's challenging about this integration, and develop a portfolio of ways to make our every day life more joyful and creatively satisfying.
$160 if pre-pay for the whole series ($20 per class) or
$30 if pay per class
Limited number of work exchange available
Priority given to those taking whole series.