Can Theatre Change the World?

“I think that every revolutionary idea begins in the theatre, and that we have a responsibility as theatre artists to put forth the vision of what we want our world to look like,” says Tonya Pinkins, one of the twenty-one New York theatre artists who were asked this basic question: Can theatre change the world? (Has it changed the world?)

Their answers are featured, in abbreviated form, in this video.

All of the people who responded were nominated in one category or another for the local Drama Desk Awards, which honor theatrical achievement on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off Broadway. The interviews were conducted at a reception for the nominees at New World Stages.

Anne Kauffman, director:
“This is my theory. I don’t think theatre can change the world. I think theatre is a necessary part of our culture’s ecosystem. It’s not about necessarily changing the world. It’s about a very, very important part of our culture. If you take that away, then the culture fails. So I think it’s something more deeply profound than changing the world. It’s a part of the world.”

Joshua Bergasse, choreographer:
“When I go to see theatre, when I leave, I’m a different person. Hopefully, I’ve learned something about myself and about other people. I think that good storytelling is the way that human beings grow.”

Brian d’Arcy James, actor:
“I think it’s something we’ve been breathing in since the beginning of time, since cavemen started telling stories around fires. In the more immediate sense of things, I think theatre is important not only in making small changes, in terms of how they feel about their day, but on a more socio-political level it has had a great effect. Hamilton is a great example of a show that changes how we view what this country is. It changes the dialogue about who owns this country, and how we’ve come to be, and where we are. That is a piece of theatre that helped us redefine who we are.”

Terrence McNally, playwright:
“Theatre changes the heart, then it changes the mind, and that makes people get off their asses and do something. I’m a great believer in theatre as a socially-active force. If The Visit doesn’t make people think differently about how they’re living their lives, then we have failed badly. An American play—Death of A Salesman. How many middle class Americans were forced to examine their values after seeing that play? I remember as a little boy how much it affected my mother and father. It still can do it. Angels in America certainly affected people. Yes, theatre can be entertaining. I like to laugh too. But I also like to be made to think and question and challenge. And when theatre does that, and entertains you, that’s the best.”

“Yes, theatre can be entertaining. I like to laugh too. But I also like to be made to think and question and challenge. And when theatre does that, and entertains you, that’s the best.”—Terrence McNally

Some of the theatre artists picked the plays with which they are involved. Alex Sharp explained that The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

Lets you inside the head of someone who in a normal social environment perhaps wouldn’t empathize. Even reading about somebody like that, you wouldn’t be able to fully understand. But the way Curious is directed, the way it’s lit, everything, takes you inside, so that you can empathize on a more profound level.

Jose Joaquin Perez of My Manana Comes presents the problem of illegal immigration, and undocumented workers in the restaurant industry. Is it right, is it wrong? Who’s making the money? The hope is that once we present those problems to the audience, they will try to solve those problems.

The nominees who make an appearance (however brief) in the video:

Andy Karl, actor, On The Twentieth Century

Alex Sharp, actor, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

Bongi Duma, composer, Generations

Brian d’Arcy James, actor, Something Rotten

Joshua Bergasse, choreographer, On The Town

Dylan Marron, writer and performer, The Human Symphony

Max Von Essen, actor, An American in Paris

Jhett Tolentino and Joan Raffe, producers, Side Show

Renee Elise Goldsberry and Leslie Odom Jr., actors, Hamilton

Julie Halston, actor, You Can’t Take It With You

Tonya Pinkins, actor, Rasheeda Speaking

Anne Kauffman, director, You Got Older

Leanne Cope, actor, dancer, An American in Paris

Lydia Leonard, actor, Wolf Hall

Josh Grisetti, actor, It Shoulda Been You

Warren Carlyle, choreographer, On The Twentieth Century

Terrence McNally, playwright, The Visit

Jose Joaquin Perez, actor, My Manana Comes

F. Murray Abraham, actor, It’s Only A Play

Bonus video: Renee Elise Goldsberry and Leslie Odom Jr. answer why they think people are calling Hamilton “groundbreaking.”