Do My Story, Sing My Song: Music therapy and Playback Theatre with troubled children

Author Jo Salas, a music therapist and cofounder of Playback Theatre, created a drama and music program at a residential treatment center in upstate New York for children 5 to 13 years old who had been diagnosed as severely emotionally disturbed. Do My Story, Sing My Song tells the stories of the children she worked with, many of whom were the survivors of extreme neglect and violence. Despite their traumas and their resulting depression, volatility, and even psychosis, the children at St. Mary’s were full of creativity. They longed to express themselves, to play, to love, and, remarkably, to contribute to the wellbeing of their peers. In one-on-one music therapy sessions, group singing, Playback Theatre performances with staff members enacting children’s stories, and therapy groups where the children acted stories for each other, the author encountered the resilience and artistry of these young people. Although reflecting on the background and theory of creative arts therapies, Do My Story, Sing My Song More is in the realm of narrative rather than formal case studies, offering stories where children’s voices are clearly and unforgettably heard. Jo Salas, MA, holds a master’s degree in music therapy from New York University. She is the cofounder of Playback Theatre, an original form of interactive story-based theatre now practiced in 65 countries. Her book Improvising Real Life: Personal Story in Playback Theatre is now in nine translations. Her TEDx talk “Everyone Has a Story” is available online.