Playback is an original form of improvisational theater. in which personal stories told by audience members are transformed on the spot into theater pieces by using movement, music and spoken word. Members: Benny Buettner,          Marcy Dubova, Eric Engdahl, Marti Holtz, Sylvia Israel, Suraya Keating, Martin Masters, Laura Scott, Duncan Sylvester ACTIVE MEMBERS: Benny Buettner- (actor, magician, mime, clown, puppeteer) Benny has over twenty years professional acting experience in Europe and America. He has studied acting with Susan Batson, Actors Studio NY. As a member of SAG-AFTRA, he has been featured in films, such as Dr. Dolittle, The Princess Diaries and on TV in Nash Bridges. His stage credits include performances at the Magic Theatre,  City Arts Theatre, festivals and improv comedy clubs. He is co-founder of Magic Circus, providing award winning educational school assembly programs and familyentertainment.  http://www.MagicCircus.com https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0119305/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 Marcy Dubova- Marcy is an original member of the Bay Area Playback Theatre Troupe and is the "senior" of the troupe at age 78.  She has trained at the Marin Theatre Company and has acted in "Sex Tapes for Seniors", a play performed in San Francisco.  Improv is her favorite vehicle because she despises learning lines.  She worked for 17 years as the Program Director of an Outpatient Treatment Facility and then in private practice as a couselor. Eric Engdahl- Professor at California State University, East Bay, Department of Teacher Education. Dr. Engdahl is the Chair of the Department of Teacher Education.  He teaches standards-based visual and performing arts methods to undergraduates, multiple-subject credential candidates and masters students in the Early Childhood Education program Marti Holtz- Marti is an award winning playwright, a veteran of twenty-five years in the performing arts as a featured actor in Shakespeare festivals, cabaret, street and political theatre. Marti has created numerous theatre based learning experiences for adults, children, corporations and disadvantaged populations Suraya Susana Keating is an actress, Licensed Marriage  and Family Therapist, Registered Drama Therapist  and Registered Expressive Arts Therapist who is passionate about the healing powers of creativity, storytelling, and soulful performance. She has trained and performed with Bay Area Playback Theater and San Francisco Playback Theater, and also has extensive training and experience in the Meisner technique, Shakespeare, movement, Yoga and solo performance. Suraya has worked in prisons for 17 years as Shakespeare for Social Justice Director for Marin Shakespeare Company, teaches as an adjunct professor at the California Institute of Integral Studies , and loves supporting others through individual therapeutic work with a creative focus, as well as coaching others to create and share their own life story theater through solo performance. She is also proud mama to an energetic 10 year old boy. http://suraya.org Sylvia Israel- Founder and former Creative Director of Bay Area Playback Theatre. Sylvia trained extensively with the School of Playback in upstate New York. Sylvia trained aAn experienced performance artist, Certified Psychodramatist and Trainer, Registered Drama Therapist, Sylvia teaches at the California Institute of Integral Studies and maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Marin County and San Francisco.  http://www.imaginecenter.net Laura Falk Scott-  A former lawyer and gallery owner, Laura has studied acting with Allen Taylor and Armand Voulkas and trained at the Playback School in NY. She was Project Director for Antenna Theater’s acclaimed educational outreach initiative, “The High School Project,” and is a school docent for SF MOMA. Duncan Sylvester- Duncan got his start performing with the Earth Circus Performance Troupe, incorporating Dance, Stilt walking and Acrobatics. He toured with them to England and Ireland: He has also worked with the Sonoma based experimental theatre group The Independent Eye. Duncan has worked in acute psychiatric hospitals for 20 years. He is an accomplished musician as well.

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