Empathy

I believe that the first step to initiating change is to get the audiences back on our side.  I see a large distinction between people who go to the theatre to see something that is moving and makes them think and people who go to the theatre to be entertained. Sadly, the second group is a much bigger group of people. They tend to see the less entertaining, more thought provoking theatre as being strange and inaccessible. Theatre needs to find a way to reach the vast majority of people who are quite closed off to the type of theatre that wants to do something. I think that we need to find a way to make these performances more accessible to the people whose minds we want to change. If it makes them uncomfortable to the point that they aren’t interested in even going to the theatre, then we have lost them and also lost the battle. I do think that it’s important to make bold choices, let the audience feel uncomfortable, and even shock people in order to make a statement that could evoke change.  However, we must be careful not to exclude people. Currently, I see that the types of shows that are important in changing society are shows that only certain people want to see. And it seems that those certain people are the ones who are already thinking towards different types of change.

The second question is a difficult one. Of course there is a point where theatre is not as effective as other things with these huge issues. That being said, I do not think that it is ever not ever one of the answers. I strongly believe that different people are given different gifts and strengths and we are to use those to help other people and bring about change if we must. Therefore, that is the one way that some people have to begin to change the world. And I believe that it can be incredibly effective if it’s done in a way that can truly reach people.