Who We Are
Playback Theater PDX was founded by Jackie Paris in early oughts. It has since been through many iterations but the focus has always been on accessing the power of story and theater to weave community, give witness, and honor experiences. In addition to public performances, Playback Theater PDX has worked with youth to explore the impact of bullying, recreated memories with those in memory care, and acted as a catalyst to address racism, homophobia, and other factors that impact social equity and safety. We love what we do and continue to work with schools, organizations, corporations, and private parties.
Meet the Players
Beth Ricketson (she/they)
Beth is an actor, educator, registered drama therapist and fan girl. She is in love with the power of story and applied theater. A native of Southern California, Beth trained in acting, improv, sketch comedy, and movement in the Los Angeles area. She was on the VP of development and outreach for the producers co-op theater company Eclectic Theater Company where they adapted, produced, and acted numerous plays, films, and performance pieces. Ten years ago she was called here to the PNW and has never looked back. Beth is thrilled to step into the very big shoes of artistic director of Playback PDX.
Darlene Sorensen
Darlene has always been drawn to the power of play. Back in the day, as an actor, she struck gold when she found BATS Improv in San Francisco. That’s where she discovered an amazing world where grown-ups could let loose, make it up on the spot and have a blast with some improv magic. She learned from some of the best, including the late, great Keith Johnstone. Darlene has years of experience performing and facilitating improvisation workshops in diverse settings for a range of purposes. She added Playback Theater to the mix while in grad school studying Drama Therapy. She loves dance, books, daydreaming, friends and family. Her mission? To keep her attention span from shrinking by staying away from social media.
Jackie Paris
Playback Theater PDX was started by Jackie Paris who trained with Jonathan Fox, the creator of the Playback form, and Armand Volkas, Director of the Living Arts Counseling Center in CA. Jackie has been involved with Playback for the past 23 years, and currently works as a Drama Therapist. She has been a professional actress since the age of 20, and has generated many original socio-political theater performances – her passion is bringing change to the planet by making it a better place through dramatic and creative endeavors!
Shane Lei (he/they)
Shane began their Playback journey in 2010, and are honored to witness the joy, vulnerability, honesty, and authenticity within each teller’s story. His work in Playback is informed by a rich background in a variety of dance, theater, literature, storytelling, and somatic modalities. He believes we each carry stories deserving of time and space to be spoken and lovingly held and received in community. When not playing and performing with Playback, they enjoy growing a greener thumb, sampling as many teas as possible, cooking with their partner, and exploring the natural world through movement and photography.
Amber Green (she/they)
Amber Green (she/they) was born with stars in her eyes and is classically trained as a dancer, singer, and actor. They got their BA in Acting and Performance from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA and has performed up and down the West Coast for 20+ years. Amber spent a decade in South Korea where they got to live out numerous dreams being the front person of several bands, the femme fatale lead of an indie movie, helped run an Expat theater group, do voice over work for animation and more, as well as teach drama and English to adorable Korean kiddos. Amber is grateful to return to and for her new life in Portland with its rich community as well as this opportunity to create something meaningful with this talented troupe.
Ryan Bowen
Ryan Bowen studied theater in Boston, piano and film in Portland, and has many years of training in martial arts and enjoys singing and playing guitar. He enjoys a good prank when he is not at work as president of Raindrop Roofing NW. The expression of each person’s truth is sacred and Ryan is both excited and grateful to be a mirror for that truth in Playback.
Sara McWilliams
Sara discovered Playback Theater in 2008? 2009? and has been at it ever since. Roles so far include human, therapist, friend, trekkie, partner, artist, & dog parent.
Kevin Ferguson
Kevin Ferguson is an Emmy Award winning musician/scientist/engineer/inventor with dozens of patents, dozens pending and 8 albums including best sellers on guitar9.com. He is currently the music director of Playback Theater and also performs regularly in several world music groups (see debone.com). He recently created recipefactory.net, with ongoing research towards mitigating hunger, leading health issues and worldwide competition for resources.
Calin Matei
Calin Matei was born in the Romani village of Dumbraveni, Romania & raised in the US. Embracing his heritage as a Roma, Calin’s songs possess a dissonant, harrowing sound that speaks of the long & mysterious history of his race. His music draws life from the wild, unruly strains of ancient musical traditions from Africa, India, and the Middle East which is then expressed through Jazz roots.