My experience
I am an ardent believer in the ongoing ability to learn and develop how we communicate effectively, compassionately and authentically. To achieve this, I utilise my skills and abilities in training, facilitation, coaching and theatre. I focus on expanding and deepening the self – awareness and practices in E.Q, Presence, Deep Listening, Applied Improvisation, Embodiment, Storytelling, Systems Theory and Collaboration.
Translating the skills theatre practitioners use to communicate narratives is a passion of mine. For me, the central core of theatre has always been about authentic communication – which is encompassed in the group process of creating a show, in the performance itself and also in the specific style of theatre that I practice, Playback Theatre. I work as an improviser, facilitator and trainer at Playback Theatre Sydney – a rich and dynamic communication forum that uses improvisation and personal storytelling to explore and illuminate specific issues.
With Playback I have facilitated large multi-stakeholder groups in a story-based communication process for a range of organisations – NFP, Gov, Corporate, Theatre. Also creating custom designed programs for training and development at conferences, team building, leadership.
Theatre is almost unique in that it is a profession with effective communication at its core. I am experienced and passionate about where theatre and communication meet, the nexus of engaging others, and I have first-hand knowledge of the empowering impact this nexus can bring to people’s lives.
I was deeply influenced by my training at inner-city Sydney’s Drama Action Centre obtaining where I obtained a Diploma of Movement . This unique school bought together a range of practices from physical based performing arts (body language), specifically Improvisation (authentic expression) and group communication processes based in Psychodrama (active communication). Since then I have co created and acted in award winning theatre shows, and am also a regular improvisational performer in a theatre ensemble.
I have a BA in Communications and many years engaging in experiential practices utilising different applied theatre techniques to both theatre productions and group communication. I am a Certified Results Based Coach and experienced Facilitator of communication
Theatre is one of the great communication teachers, it makes the invisible visible. Johanna de Ruyter