Playback Theatre's World Kindness Day Celebration

Sunday, November 13, 2005 from 7-9 p.m. the Kindness Campaign in Asheville, Asheville Playback Theatre, St Eugene Catholic Church and students from area schools joined with the community to celebrate World Kindness Day. This event was part of a worldwide celebration co-sponsored by almost 100 Playback Theatre Companies on five continents, in 30 countries and in 10 different languages who will perform "Stories of Kindness" on this day. The idea for this World Kindness Day event came from Raphael Peter, the Director of Asheville Playback Theatre, after he and the cast had performed "Stories of Kindness" as part of Asheville's Kindness Week celebration February 13-20, 2005.

Playback Theatre invites participants to share personal stories, told in community, and honors the storytellers through enacting their experiences. These enactments have promoted compassion and understanding in challenging arenas around the world. Groups in conflict and people divided by race, class or caste have found common ground through sharing experiences in playback performances.

The transformational power of kindness presents an alternative to the negativity of fear and division that has been so prevalent in our world. Fear often leads to secrecy, violence and chaos. We can choose to change our perceptions and remind ourselves of the common meeting place that kindness creates, a place where our civil society is strengthened and people are empowered to take back their communities.

In addition to a performance of Playback Theatre's "Stories of Kindness," children from area schools will read inspiring messages of kindness in other languages that reach across the seas and give hope to all people who seek to practice acts of kindness. The St. Eugene Children's Choir will also perform songs of kindness that reflect the hopes of every human being for a kinder and safer world. It should be a truly inspiring evening.