On 22 October 2025, the Regional Development Agency hosted a Playback theatre event dedicated to the theme of ‘Overcoming conflicts through art’. Participants had the opportunity not only to learn about this unique method of theatrical improvisation, but also to become its direct creators and share their own stories and experiences, watching them come to life on an improvised stage.

Playback theatre is a special space where everyone can be heard. Unlike traditional theatre, it does not have a ready-made script: the plots are born right during the performance, when the audience tells their life stories and the actors recreate them in a theatrical form. This form of interaction allows you to gain a deeper understanding of yourself, your emotions, your relationships with other people, and to see new ways of overcoming internal and external conflicts.

The event was moderated by Alla Mekshun, PhD, Associate Professor of the Department of Social Work at Chernihiv Polytechnic National University. The programme of the event combined introductions, discussions of expectations, and the creation of a safe space for creativity. Participants listened to an informative presentation entitled ‘The art of theatre as a creative way to resolve conflicts,’ which discussed the role of improvisation in developing communication skills, empathy, and finding solutions in difficult life situations.

During the practical part, interactive exercises were held, including ‘Puppet theatre. Improvisation’ and ‘Theatrical Performance.’ Participants learned to recognise emotions, explored conflict situations, modelled the behaviour of characters and jointly sought ways to resolve them. These exercises helped them to feel the power of collective creativity, trust and open dialogue.

The final part consisted of presentations of mini-plays, during which participants presented their own stories interpreted through the language of theatre. The event ended with a reflection session, during which everyone had the opportunity to share their impressions, insights and emotional discoveries.

Playback theatre has once again proven that art is not only an aesthetic experience, but also a powerful tool for self-knowledge, reconciliation and communication. The event became a space for mutual understanding, sincerity and acceptance, where everyone truly had the right to be heard.

We would like to thank the Chernihiv Regional Development Agency for their help in organising and implementing the event.

The project is being implemented by the Human Rights Foundation NGO as part of the ‘Together We Can’ programme with the support of the IFA and the German Foreign Ministry. The project partners in the Chernihiv region are Chernihiv Polytechnic National University and the ‘Centre for Gender Education’ NGO.

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