Central Vt. improv troupe seeks ‘Pursuit of Happiness?’ at the Grange Hall June 11

June 3, 2023 | By Waterbury Roundabout 

The Montpelier-based Central Vermont Playback Theatre Troupe comes to Waterbury Center on Sunday, June 11, with its current interactive performance, “Pursuit of Happiness?”

Members of Central VT Playback Troupe in action. Courtesy photo

The afternoon of storytelling will center on that question as a theme in a program that will involve the audience to share personal stories while adding movement, music and metaphor. 

In announcing the performance, the troupe asks a series of questions: “When you hear the word ‘happiness,’ what thoughts and feelings come to mind? Does happiness feel motivating? Attainable? Obligatory? How do you relate to the concept of happiness through your own life experience? Let’s explore the cultural goal of ‘happiness’ and how it shows up (or doesn’t!) in our lives.”

Founded in November 2019, Central Vermont Playback Troupe is led by Artistic Director Lucy Schmid. The ensemble of nine performers includes teachers, social workers, somatic movement educators, medical providers, computer programmers, therapists, advocates, and community organizers.

“Our playback practice is in service of co-creating a just, equitable, and playful Vermont and beyond,” Schmid says. “As a troupe, we believe playback has the capacity to support healing, to change the ways we relate to each other, create new cultural possibilities, and to embody our values in the world. We are delighted to be exploring playback together and to be a part of the greater playback community.”

See the Central Vermont Playback Troupe at the Grange Hall Cultural Center, 2-4 p.m. Tickets: Sliding scale of $10-$25 (cash, check, or Venmo @Lucy-Schmid accepted). Reserve a spot using this online form.  Accessibility note: This show is on the second floor and there is no elevator access. Also, masks are not required. More information online at: centralvermontplayback.com.