Photo: True Story Theater
An Arlington, Mass., theater troupe performs the stories of ordinary people.
Recently, John told me about an unusual improvisational theater group that will perform your story. Called True Story Theater, it is affiliated with the worldwide Playback Theatre movement, which seeks to right wrongs experienced by minorities and marginalized groups by putting their actual words into plays to build understanding.
From the website: “True Story Theater is a nonprofit theater company that offers 50-75 improvisational performances and workshops a year for community groups, businesses, and individuals mostly in the greater Boston area. We work with hospitals, universities, corporations, religious communities, with teen leaders, cancer survivors, activists, philanthropists, business leaders …
“Our mission is to build empathy and respect in community through honoring all of our true stories.
“In performances, volunteers from the audience are helped to share what’s important in their lives. On the spot, actors then portray the heart of what they heard using music, movement, and dialogue. From this simple interaction, people laugh, cry, share fresh insights, and bond. … True Story Theater offers audiences fresh perspectives, deeper connections, and a renewed appreciation for our common humanity.”
The troupe says it employs many dramatic styles but is especially indebted to the technique of Playback Theatre, which “was founded in 1975 by Jonathan Fox and Jo Salas in New Paltz, NY. …
“Globally, Playback is often used to reach disenfranchised people and to build understanding where conflict had driven people apart. A few examples:
“Southern India: Groups of Dalit people have used Playback Theatre to assert their rights. Western Australia: Playback has helped landowners and Aboriginal people find common ground. Burundi: Hutu and Tutsi actors work together in a Playback troupe in a country healing civil war.”
Watch samples from performances here.
True Story Theater is also available to draw people out at weddings and other such events.
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
Dear me. This got me thinking about what a play about my life would look like. Very conventional and boring, I’m afraid!
Sounds like the troupe just dramatizes people’s rough spots. Certainly dealing with an Aged P could be a story that others could learn from.
I haven’t been but they partner with local groups to do a show for example on issues related to ‘trees’ or ‘senior housing’ or ‘community policing’
Let me know if they do one on trees. I’d love to see that.