Can Broadway musicals drive social change? | Julia Dunetz | TEDxCornell

The speaker's lifelong love for stories began at age seven after seeing "Wicked," which deeply moved them and ignited a passion for theater. This passion evolved from a hobby into a profession, leading them to become a commercial theater producer, working on over 30 Broadway shows and earning a Tony Award. While enjoying both the creative and business aspects of theater, their favorite part is witnessing how stories impact an audience, realizing early in their career that art transcends mere entertainment and serves as a powerful tool for social change. About five years ago, the speaker joined Level Forward, a story-driven, impact-minded entertainment company focused on advancing social progress through theater, film, and television. The company aims to foster brave conversations and create lasting impact by instigating critical thinking, increasing visibility, and bringing people together. The speaker emphasizes that storytelling's impact falls into two categories: stories that help individuals see themselves or parts of their identities in new ways, and stories that help them understand others, building empathy. To illustrate the first category, the speaker shares the example of "How to Dance in Ohio," a musical produced last Broadway season. This groundbreaking show featured seven autistic actors playing autistic characters, following them as they prepared for a spring formal. The musical created significant visibility, and one interaction particularly resonated with the speaker. During a dress rehearsal, a young woman with developmental disabilities from a partner organization expressed that she had never seen someone like herself on stage before, her tears of joy highlighting the profound personal connection she felt. This experience made her feel less alone, validated her challenges, and inspired her to believe that her dream of being on Broadway might be possible, demonstrating the limitless potential unlocked by such stories. For the second category, stories that build empathy by helping us see others, the speaker recounts an experience with "Slave Play," one of their first Broadway productions. This provocative play explored race and sex in America through the lens of three interracial couples in sex therapy. Recognizing the play's intense nature, weekly post-show conversations were held for audience members to engage with the cast and creative team. During one such conversation, a white woman struggled with her interpretation of the play and her responsibility in a racist society. Initially questioning others, she eventually challenged herself, leading to a profound shift in her perspective. This experience made her curious, prompting her to read books, attend more discussion groups, and commit to learning her role as an ally. This story remains a powerful reminder that stories can fundamentally alter how individuals perceive the world and interact with those around them, driving progress forward. The speaker concludes by urging continued investment in stories that highlight narratives from the margins—those of people, identities, and experiences that have been historically ignored or erased. They encourage individuals to actively seek out and engage with plays or movies that center experiences unfamiliar to them, such as watching a series with a trans character if they don't know any trans people. By continuously expanding viewpoints and challenging norms, people can foster greater understanding and kindness. The speaker believes that while personal accounts can be informative, stories in forms like books or films can create deeper understanding, compassion, and empathy. For instance, a film depicting the anxieties of a queer Jewish woman holding her wife's hand in public could provide a profound insight into her daily experiences. This deeper understanding of each other, fostered by stories, can influence culture, policy, and ultimately, create a better world. Reflecting on their own childhood experience with "Wicked," the speaker realized that the story, even at a young age, taught them about injustice and power imbalances, inspiring their career dedicated to creating and amplifying impactful stories. They encourage everyone to watch, share, and discuss stories as catalysts for conversation and change, believing that these narratives can collectively help change the world.