New to True Story Theater?  Please read description below the event.

Active Bystander workshop

Zoom video MA, United States

Active Bystander Intervention Skills * Free Public Workshop * Sunday, January 15, 2023, 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm ET * online-on Zoom Most appropriate for ages 13 to adult To commemorate the work and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, we offer this public workshop as an action you can take to observe Hopkinton’s MLK Giving […]

Building bridges across ideological differences

Zoom video MA, United States

When friends, family members, or colleagues hold different political views from ours, what holds us back from opening up dialogue?   For those of us who have had good experiences with this, what has helped?  Using Playback Theatre, we'll learn from each other.  All perspectives and feelings are welcomed and respected. Does your work involve bridge-building […]

Calvary Church – visions of community

Calvary Church 300 Mass. Ave., Arlington, MA, United States

Do you miss seeing True Story Theater in person?  You are warmly invited to attend the show we're doing for the attendees of Calvary Church in Arlington--upstairs in the Fellowship Hall.  It's a rare treat nowadays for us to do an in-person show, much less one that's open to the public! We'll be inviting church […]

Stories of Longing for Belonging

Common Street Spiritual Center 13 Common Street, Natick, MA

We warmly invite you to join us for an interactive performance on the theme of Longing for Belonging, featuring skilled actors from True Story Theater and hosted by Common Street Spiritual Center. DESCRIPTION This unique and intimate experience is designed to explore the shared human need for connection and belonging in a world where we […]

$15

Disability rights activism – Arlington MA Reads Together

Robbins Library: Community Room (lower level) 700 Mass Ave., Arlington, MA, United States

The performance is inspired by this year's Arlington (Mass.) Reads Together book: Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist. Come to just watch, or to share your thoughts, feelings and experiences around disability activism and/or your thoughts on reading the book. Laugh, cry, and gain insights as True Story's actors and musicians empathetically […]

Stories of people with invisible disabilities or neurodiversity

Zoom video MA, United States

Within our unique selves, how do we face our limitations…and discover new strengths?  When we deal with people’s reactions to disabilities or neurodiversity,  how do we handle painful ignorance (including our own)…or welcome kindness?  Let’s learn from each others’ stories. Come to just watch, or to share your thoughts, feelings and experiences around invisible disabilities […]

Reaching across political differences

Zoom video MA, United States

When your friends, family members, or colleagues hold different political views from yours, what holds you back from opening up dialogue?   If you've had positive experiences reaching across political differences, what has helped your experience be constructive?  Using Playback Theatre, we'll share stories and learn from each other.  All perspectives and feelings are welcomed and […]

50 years of Women Explore

Arlington Center for the Arts 20 Academy Street, Arlington, MA, United States

All are invited to this public show. True Story Theater is helping WomenExplore celebrate their 50 years of thought-provoking lectures covering themes of social justice, equality, feminism, spirituality, and preservation of our precious earth. Thursday May 4, 11:30-1pm ET Arlington Center for the Arts 20 Academy St., 3rd fl., Arlington MA Tickets at door. Suggested […]

Stories of people with invisible disabilities or neurodivergence

Arlington Community Center 27 Maple St Arlington, MA 02476, Arlington, MA, United States

Within our unique selves, how do we face our limitations…and discover new strengths?  When we deal with people’s reactions to disabilities or neurodiversity,  how do we handle painful ignorance (including our own)…or welcome kindness?  Let’s learn from each others’ stories. Come to just watch, or to share your thoughts, feelings and experiences around invisible disabilities […]

Breaking Through: Stories of Daring to Thrive

Common Street Spiritual Center 13 Common Street, Natick, MA

We warmly invite you to join us for an interactive performance on the theme of Breaking Through: Daring to Thrive, featuring the talented actors from True Story Theater and hosted by Common Street Spiritual Center. DESCRIPTION This unique and heartfelt experience will explore our shared human need for thriving in a world that often challenges […]

$15 – $20

From Fear to Freedom: Breaking the Silence and Speaking Our Truth

Common Street Spiritual Center 13 Common Street, Natick, MA

DESCRIPTION Have you ever experienced a moment when you just had to speak your truth, no matter the challenge or the cost? Whether it involved confronting a bully, opening up to your family, or finally addressing the elephant in the workplace... this event is all about you and your courage. We're diving deep with our […]

$15 – $20

Fundraiser & Performance Party in Person

Support True Story Theater's 23rd season! Please buy an event ticket on Eventbrite If you can't come to the event, please make a donation to support our work. Or please come to our Zoom fundraiser & performance. Location: The event will be in the backyard at the wonderful home of Gene Diaz in Arlington. (You'll […]

Finding Connections in Grief Conference

Framingham Sheraton 1657 Worcester Rd., Framingham, MA, United States

  Annual weekend conference where bereaved individuals will unite to find hope, healing, and a sense of community while also learning from and sharing with others. The conference offers will provide a safe place where attendees can connect with others who have experienced the devastating loss of a loved one to substance use-related causes.   […]

Stories of grieving & celebration

Zoom video MA, United States

Support True Story Theater's 23rd season!Please buy an event ticket. The event will be on Zoom (you'll get the link when you get your ticket). Stories of grieving & celebration If you can't come to the event, please make a donation to support our work. Schedule for the event: 3pm - Arrive and introductions 3:15pm […]

Stories of Worry and Wonder: What Does Our Future Hold?

Arlington Center for the Arts 20 Academy Street, Arlington, MA, United States

In this interactive improvisational theatre performance, audience volunteers will share their feelings and dreams about the future--both personal and collective.  Then actors and a musician from True Story Theater will dramatize what they heard. Artists exhibiting in the "FUTURE: ILLUSTRATED" show in the Shaira Ali Gallery where we will hold the performance are invited to come for free […]

What happens in a True Story Theater performance?  Our events bring together the delight of improvisation with the courageous vulnerability of people sharing their personal truth.

The show’s emcee (called “the conductor”) facilitates brief, spontaneous conversations with volunteers from the audience who share their own feelings and experiences related to the show’s theme.  After each conversation, the actors and musician immediately embody the key feelings and actions they heard, using movement, music, dialogue, and superb listening. All of it is improvised on the spot. During the course of a 75 minute show, True Story enacts about 6-8 stories.

From this simple interaction, audience members feel validated, laugh, cry, get insights about their lives, and feel an expanded sense of community. You can share a moment from your life and see it performed, or just come to watch.

What are True Story Theater’s classes like?  We will teach you the basics of Playback Theatre, which can hone your listening skills for everyday life.  All are welcome.  Classes are supportive, informal, intimate, and fun, an enriching experience for both newcomers and experienced actors.