Play after Play was created in 2004 by Melanya Helene and Marc Otto as a way to bring two of their great loves together in a single program.

In 2002, within the span of a week, Melanya and Marc met the two teachers that would inspire the creation of Play after Play.

Scott Kelman introduced us to his unique performance work, kelmanworks, which is based in moment to moment awareness of mind and body, and the development of presence.

O. Fred Donaldson opened up the world of Play - the realization that in each moment we have the choice to give and receive love instead of responding with fear and aggression.

Scott Kelmanhttp://www.thebrooklynbay.org/
O. Fred Donaldsonhttp://www.originalplay.com/fred_donaldson.htm

Our Training in Play

During several Playshops, Fred Donaldson taught us that play is only learned by playing, and the best teachers are young children; the important decision is to decide to become a playmate.


After meeting Fred in 2002, Marc and Melanya decided to become playmates, and play opportunities arose everywhere: at home with our own children and their friends, in parks with neighborhood children, even with a couple of coyotes and a baby squirrel. We also began playing with children at their schools.  In 2005 we began Play after Play.


Over the years, through playing with thousands of children we have learned much and continue to learn each time we play.


Some of the things the children have taught us:


-to slow down

-to be ready for anything

-to be 100% present

-to be aware with the whole body

-to be soft and strong simultaneously

-no fault, no blame

Our Story Performance

Since 2005, we have created over 20 original performance pieces based on traditional folk tales from all over the world - and new story performances are constantly being developed. Melanya has been researching folk and fairy tales for many years, searching for stories that are simple and sweet, and genuinely touch on some truth; choosing only stories that are not violent or scary, and not heavily moralistic. Each story performance has it’s own sweetness with themes that reflect our values of kindness, interconnectedness and mindfulness.


Music plays an important role in our performances. Through our voices and sometimes simple instruments, we seek to share the unique flavor of the culture from which the story was received.

Play after Play

is an hour of exquisitely performed play of two kinds: the first is a short theatrical performance based on loosely adapted traditional folk tales from around the world, involving music, movement, and story telling for children age 2-9.  The second is a formalized experience of physical play that models safety, awareness, and gentleness. 


This single program meets the whole child in developmentally appropriately ways on many levels simultaneously: encouraging healthy physical, social, and language development, and offering a clear non-violent alternative to aggressive, fear based behavior.  Children learn ‘by doing’ a unique form of play that, among other things, helps them distinguish safe play in which  no one is hurt, from other kinds they are exposed to routinely. 











Both ‘plays’ provide an experience of artistic excellence, one through story-telling, sound, and movement; the other through the art of inviting and engaging each child in a particular kind of play, uniquely tuned to his/her singular presence.  Play after Play's goal is to make this experience available to as many children as possible.

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