This is a crash course, so we’re going to go over the basics of playback theatre culminating in a show fairly quickly, and share tips and tricks along the way.

Doing ‘good’ playback will probably take a lifetime of work, so think of this as a first step to knowing more about some of the more common forms and rituals employed in this branch of applied theatre. We will also talk a little about the history, potential applications and ethics of the art form. Of course, we will learn about stage awareness/readiness, the use of cloth and image, a little about music and metaphor and a whole lot of listening.

We hope that after this experience you will continue to explore playback with 3 Cups. If you are keen, there are also workshops organised by members and trainers from the Centre of Playback Theatre and the International Playback Theatre Network around the world, both in-person and online.

The full programme is valued at SGD400.

We are offering this series of workshops FREE OF CHARGE to Self-Employed Persons (SEPs) from any sector. This is part of our outreach efforts to encourage SEPs to pick up new skills and training.

If you are a Singapore Citizen/Permanent Resident SEP, you may provide any one of the following documents:

• Copy of IRAS statement (Form B)

• Consolidated Statement of Income for Year of Assessment 2021 submitted to IRAS

• Copy of your latest CPF statement indicating your status as Self-Employed

• Proof of registration on the CPF portal as a self-employed person

• Approved application for the Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (SIRS)

• Approved application for the COVID-19 Recovery Grant (CRG) or the COVID-19 Recovery Grant (CRG) - Temporary

• Copy of ACRA registration for Sole Proprietors

You are very welcome to sign up. Non-SEPs will be charged $200, while current students above the age of 18 and retirees above 55 will pay $100 each.

We believe that these prices are very reasonable for a course of this duration and quality, and are glad to grow the community with you.

Please note that successful applicants will be required to pay a $50 admin fee. This admin fee will be refunded upon the successful completion of the training programme.

We accept payment via PayLah! and PayNow.

We STRONGLY ENCOURAGE participants to attend every session as this is a crash course. There will be unique skills and techniques shared each time we meet, and we hope that the team can progress together. However, we know that life can get in the way, so just let us know which dates you'll miss.

We highly recommend all participants take part in one of the shows as they allow us to share with friends and family what was experienced during our intensive workshop sessions. If you'd much rather prefer to be involved in other ways such as crew or front of house, we can work something out together.

KOPI EXPO (Open Rehearsal) will take place at the Project Studio (01-05) at the Stamford Arts Centre (SAC).

LA KOPI (PT Crash Course) will be conducted at the P7:1SMA Studio (03-01) @ SAC.

LIM KOPI (Hybrid PT Performances) will be performed at P7:1SMA and on Zoom.

We will be following the latest Covid-19 SMMs as advised by the National Arts Council, and respond to any changes in the guidelines as necessary.

As the sessions will be conducted face to face in small groups, we would recommend that you are fully vaccinated before the start date of this programme.

This program will be conducted ‘live’ (in-person) and the performances will be done in a hybrid manner. Performers will be in the same physical space, while most audience members will join online via Zoom.

In the event it is no longer possible to meet in person, the entire programme will be completed online, using what we affectionately term #Zoomback.

Some of the best playbackers we’ve worked with do not have a background in performance. If this programme appeals to you, we’d like to encourage you to sign up and learn alongside us. Being willing to listen deeply without judgment and be a team player will ensure sessions are meaningful for everyone. The cool thing about Drama is that it allows time/space for confidence, concentration, communication and empathy.

Two of the original members of 3 Cups of Kopi Playback Theatre Ensemble, Ghazali and Lineng. They have had the opportunity to learn from and train with established and respected playback practitioners in Asia, the US and Europe. They’ve honed their craft and amassed experience through organising and participating in workshops, jams, performances and exchanges with various companies over the past five years. Outside of playback, they work with educational institutions, corporate organisations and theatre companies on various arts and culture related events and content.

Ghaz will cover the essentials, while Neng will support participants’ teamwork, communication and stage readiness. They’re very excited to meet and learn from current and new playbackers, since playback benefits greatly from the instinct, creativity and life experiences that participants bring with them.

Current 3 Cups members and our playbacker friends from other groups will also be present to add wisdom and pizazz from time to time.

We will be hosting KOPI EXPO (Open Rehearsal) on 10 Feb (Sun) from 8pm to 930pm. Please sign up here! Or get in touch with us directly!