The life changing power of live theater | Andrew Russell | TEDxSeattle

Summary

In this heartfelt narrative, the speaker reflects on their journey from a hyperactive child in Indiana to a theater artist and advocate. Encouraged by a director to embrace their energy and creative potential, they discovered theater's transformative power. The speaker shares how theater fostered empathy, challenged societal norms, and catalyzed personal growth. Through examples of plays like *Wedding Band* and *Angels in America*, they demonstrate how theater allows us to confront wrongs, understand others, and connect on a deeper level. Ultimately, the speaker calls for embracing the art of theater as a means to create change and build a more compassionate world.

Takeaways

• 😀 Theater can transform lives by helping individuals understand themselves and the world around them.
• 🎭 A pivotal moment in the speaker's childhood was when a theater director recognized their potential, saying 'That child is an artist.'
• 💡 Theater provides a space for confronting and correcting wrongs, fostering personal and societal growth.
• 🌍 The speaker believes that theater has the power to change the world by encouraging empathy and understanding.
• 💬 Through theater, we learn to listen to and understand people with different perspectives, fostering a sense of community.
• 🎬 The speaker’s childhood love for theater, inspired by Whoopi Goldberg and Broadway, shaped their artistic path.
• 💥 Theater helps individuals experience moments of transformation, such as acknowledging mistakes and evolving as a result.
• 🎭 Theater is a tool for growth, as it allows people to step outside of themselves and consider the experiences of others.
• 🌐 In a world dominated by screens, theater reminds us of the power of in-person connection and shared experiences.
• 🌟 The speaker encourages others to embrace the transformative power of theater, viewing it as a 'superpower' for change.

Q & A

How did the speaker's parents decide to channel his energy instead of medicating him?

The speaker's parents decided to enroll him in a theater class at the Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette in Indiana instead of putting him on Ritalin.

What was the significance of the director's response to the speaker in the theater class?

The director, Welsh, recognized the speaker's potential as an artist despite his energy and behavior, and emphasized that artists are the ones who change the world.

How did the speaker relate to Whoopi Goldberg's character in Sister Act?

The speaker found inspiration in Whoopi Goldberg's portrayal of Sister Mary Clarence in Sister Act, which made him realize that there was more to life and sparked his desire to pursue theater.

What was the impact of Whoopi Goldberg's 1984 solo Broadway show on the speaker?

The speaker was deeply moved by Whoopi Goldberg's Broadway performance, which inspired him to pursue theater and led him to make a symbolic gesture by sending flowers to her backstage at his first Broadway show.

What did Whoopi Goldberg's note to the speaker say, and why was it meaningful?

Whoopi Goldberg wrote a note encouraging the speaker to pursue a life in theater. This was meaningful to the speaker as it affirmed his aspirations and reinforced his determination to follow that path.

What unexpected turn did the speaker's journey in theater take after his teenage years?

Instead of staying on stage, the speaker eventually stepped off stage and moved to Seattle, where he began to understand the deeper role of theater in life and its transformative potential.

How does the speaker describe the role of theater in changing people?

The speaker sees theater as a powerful tool for personal transformation, allowing people to confront wrongness, change, and grow by experiencing different perspectives and emotions in real time.

What key moment in the play 'Wedding Band' demonstrates theater's power to bring about change?

In 'Wedding Band,' the character Julia confronts Herman about his privilege, and through his acknowledgment of responsibility, they begin a path toward healing. This moment exemplifies how theater allows unsaid truths to be spoken and change to occur.

How does the speaker describe the difference between the 'private now' and the 'public now' in theater?

The 'private now' is personal, like individual interactions or social media moments, while the 'public now' refers to shared experiences, such as those in a theater, where everyone is united in the same moment, creating a collective sense of connection and empathy.

What is the theme of the musical 'Stew for Silverton,' and how does it reflect the speaker's perspective on theater?

The musical 'Stew for Silverton' tells the story of the first openly transgender mayor in America and highlights how a small town rallies around their unconventional leader. The musical challenges norms and asks audiences to step into someone else's shoes, fostering empathy, which the speaker believes is one of theater's greatest gifts.

What final message does the speaker leave about the role of theater in society?

The speaker emphasizes that theater is an essential tool for understanding each other, fostering empathy, and driving personal and social change. He advocates for embracing simple, direct forms of theater that bring people together to reflect, connect, and grow.