[Music] hi good afternoon everybody thank you
hi good afternoon everybody thank you
hi good afternoon everybody thank you I’m really happy to be here today at
I’m really happy to be here today at
I’m really happy to be here today at this live event and calling it a live
this live event and calling it a live
this live event and calling it a live event is is really particular to what I
event is is really particular to what I
event is is really particular to what I want to talk about because at a live
want to talk about because at a live
want to talk about because at a live event anything is possible
event anything is possible
event anything is possible right we don’t know what’s gonna happen
right we don’t know what’s gonna happen
right we don’t know what’s gonna happen in ten seconds in fact when I was six
in ten seconds in fact when I was six
in ten seconds in fact when I was six years old I walked out onto a stage and
years old I walked out onto a stage and
years old I walked out onto a stage and I saw the audience and I wanted to get
I saw the audience and I wanted to get
I saw the audience and I wanted to get as close to them as I could and I walked
as close to them as I could and I walked
as close to them as I could and I walked all the way up to the edge and I fell
all the way up to the edge and I fell
all the way up to the edge and I fell off of the end of the stage fell off
off of the end of the stage fell off
off of the end of the stage fell off right into the crowd everybody panicked
right into the crowd everybody panicked
right into the crowd everybody panicked and wondered what was gonna happen in
and wondered what was gonna happen in
and wondered what was gonna happen in fact I could get as close as that to you
fact I could get as close as that to you
fact I could get as close as that to you and fall off the stage right now and it
and fall off the stage right now and it
and fall off the stage right now and it would be an amazing shared event in fact
would be an amazing shared event in fact
would be an amazing shared event in fact it would be a painful event for me but
it would be a painful event for me but
it would be a painful event for me but for you guys at the next break you would
for you guys at the next break you would
for you guys at the next break you would say oh my gosh I can’t believe that
say oh my gosh I can’t believe that
say oh my gosh I can’t believe that Brooke Hall fell off the end of this
Brooke Hall fell off the end of this
Brooke Hall fell off the end of this stage I know can you believe that maybe
stage I know can you believe that maybe
stage I know can you believe that maybe in six months down the way you’ll see
in six months down the way you’ll see
in six months down the way you’ll see your friend and you’ll say remember that
your friend and you’ll say remember that
your friend and you’ll say remember that day we went to that event and that that
day we went to that event and that that
day we went to that event and that that guy what Brooke Holly fell off at the
guy what Brooke Holly fell off at the
guy what Brooke Holly fell off at the end of the stage what I want to say is
end of the stage what I want to say is
end of the stage what I want to say is that this experience the fact that
that this experience the fact that
that this experience the fact that you’re here that I’m speaking to you
you’re here that I’m speaking to you
you’re here that I’m speaking to you live that we’re having this interaction
live that we’re having this interaction
live that we’re having this interaction it’s a unique thing it brings us
it’s a unique thing it brings us
it’s a unique thing it brings us together it’s always brought us together
together it’s always brought us together
together it’s always brought us together in fact back in 700 BC when the Greeks
in fact back in 700 BC when the Greeks
in fact back in 700 BC when the Greeks used theater that’s what they used it
used theater that’s what they used it
used theater that’s what they used it for they used it to bring society
for they used it to bring society
for they used it to bring society together they built these amazing arenas
together they built these amazing arenas
together they built these amazing arenas they built these amazing amphitheaters
they built these amazing amphitheaters
they built these amazing amphitheaters and they said let’s get society together
and they said let’s get society together
and they said let’s get society together let’s get us all together let’s
let’s get us all together let’s
let’s get us all together let’s celebrate the things that make us Greek
celebrate the things that make us Greek
celebrate the things that make us Greek let’s celebrate our stories our myths
let’s celebrate our stories our myths
let’s celebrate our stories our myths let’s talk about how great we are as
let’s talk about how great we are as
let’s talk about how great we are as Greeks and it worked and in fact it not
Greeks and it worked and in fact it not
Greeks and it worked and in fact it not only worked for the Greeks all cultures
only worked for the Greeks all cultures
only worked for the Greeks all cultures we could say now have some kind of a
we could say now have some kind of a
we could say now have some kind of a performing arts tradition where usually
performing arts tradition where usually
performing arts tradition where usually we get together and we celebrate the
we get together and we celebrate the
we get together and we celebrate the things that we share those things that
things that we share those things that
things that we share those things that bring us together as a cultural group
bring us together as a cultural group
bring us together as a cultural group right
right
right we celebrate our stories we celebrate
we celebrate our stories we celebrate
we celebrate our stories we celebrate the values that we hold as a society we
the values that we hold as a society we
the values that we hold as a society we celebrate our needs we celebrate our
celebrate our needs we celebrate our
celebrate our needs we celebrate our woes we celebrate those stories that we
woes we celebrate those stories that we
woes we celebrate those stories that we can all identify with we bring the tribe
can all identify with we bring the tribe
can all identify with we bring the tribe together
together
together well what if not only can we use this
well what if not only can we use this
well what if not only can we use this interaction which will now call theatre
interaction which will now call theatre
interaction which will now call theatre what if we could not only use this
what if we could not only use this
what if we could not only use this interaction to bring our own together
interaction to bring our own together
interaction to bring our own together but what if we could use it as a bridge
but what if we could use it as a bridge
but what if we could use it as a bridge to bring two tribes together or maybe
to bring two tribes together or maybe
to bring two tribes together or maybe not only two tribes but multiple tribes
not only two tribes but multiple tribes
not only two tribes but multiple tribes together what if we could maybe find
together what if we could maybe find
together what if we could maybe find those people who dress differently than
those people who dress differently than
those people who dress differently than us that speak a different language from
us that speak a different language from
us that speak a different language from us to have a different belief system and
us to have a different belief system and
us to have a different belief system and we say you know what we’re not as
we say you know what we’re not as
we say you know what we’re not as different as we think we are maybe we
different as we think we are maybe we
different as we think we are maybe we can share something through this
can share something through this
can share something through this experience so we can use all of those
experience so we can use all of those
experience so we can use all of those things all of those unique aspects of
things all of those unique aspects of
things all of those unique aspects of theater that bring us together we can
theater that bring us together we can
theater that bring us together we can bridge the gap between cultures wouldn’t
bridge the gap between cultures wouldn’t
bridge the gap between cultures wouldn’t that be amazing
that be amazing
that be amazing well one thing I want to talk about give
well one thing I want to talk about give
well one thing I want to talk about give you an example of how story and theater
you an example of how story and theater
you an example of how story and theater is made up and uses the idea of story
is made up and uses the idea of story
is made up and uses the idea of story how story can transcend borders because
how story can transcend borders because
how story can transcend borders because I do want to say that now borders are
I do want to say that now borders are
I do want to say that now borders are falling and now more than ever we need
falling and now more than ever we need
falling and now more than ever we need to have ways to understand one another
to have ways to understand one another
to have ways to understand one another we turn on the news and we see that
we turn on the news and we see that
we turn on the news and we see that we’re having problems doing that we’re
we’re having problems doing that we’re
we’re having problems doing that we’re seeing that borders are falling and
seeing that borders are falling and
seeing that borders are falling and we’re in spaces that we didn’t know we
we’re in spaces that we didn’t know we
we’re in spaces that we didn’t know we were gonna be in and we meet people that
were gonna be in and we meet people that
were gonna be in and we meet people that didn’t know they were gonna be in our
didn’t know they were gonna be in our
didn’t know they were gonna be in our space and we have to have a way to deal
space and we have to have a way to deal
space and we have to have a way to deal with that we have to have more
with that we have to have more
with that we have to have more empathetic understanding in order to get
empathetic understanding in order to get
empathetic understanding in order to get together as a multi global society and
together as a multi global society and
together as a multi global society and so as a global multicultural society so
so as a global multicultural society so
so as a global multicultural society so I want to bring up this one example that
I want to bring up this one example that
I want to bring up this one example that shows how story transcends borders that
shows how story transcends borders that
shows how story transcends borders that I think you find might find interesting
I think you find might find interesting
I think you find might find interesting so I want to take you to Tsarist Russia
so I want to take you to Tsarist Russia
so I want to take you to Tsarist Russia in the late 1800s and there’s a writer
in the late 1800s and there’s a writer
in the late 1800s and there’s a writer and his name is Shalom Ali him and
and his name is Shalom Ali him and
and his name is Shalom Ali him and Shalom Ali hem writes a story about a
Shalom Ali hem writes a story about a
Shalom Ali hem writes a story about a Russian Jewish milkman but dairyman
Russian Jewish milkman but dairyman
Russian Jewish milkman but dairyman Tevye and his daughters and he writes a
Tevye and his daughters and he writes a
Tevye and his daughters and he writes a series of stories and many years go by
series of stories and many years go by
series of stories and many years go by from the late 1800s
from the late 1800s
from the late 1800s in the USA some people see this
in the USA some people see this
in the USA some people see this collection of stories and they say this
collection of stories and they say this
collection of stories and they say this would be a great musical theater play
would be a great musical theater play
would be a great musical theater play and it’s one you may have heard of maybe
and it’s one you may have heard of maybe
and it’s one you may have heard of maybe not
not
not it’s called Fiddler on the Roof Fiddler
it’s called Fiddler on the Roof Fiddler
it’s called Fiddler on the Roof Fiddler on the Roof it’s not about Fiddler’s and
on the Roof it’s not about Fiddler’s and
on the Roof it’s not about Fiddler’s and it’s not about rooftops Fiddler on the
it’s not about rooftops Fiddler on the
it’s not about rooftops Fiddler on the Roof is about tradition they use that
Roof is about tradition they use that
Roof is about tradition they use that idea of a fiddler on the roof to talk
idea of a fiddler on the roof to talk
idea of a fiddler on the roof to talk about the tradition and how easy it is
about the tradition and how easy it is
about the tradition and how easy it is to fall how easy it is to break
to fall how easy it is to break
to fall how easy it is to break tradition especially when we’re in a
tradition especially when we’re in a
tradition especially when we’re in a multi-generational conflict when the
multi-generational conflict when the
multi-generational conflict when the younger generation wants to do things
younger generation wants to do things
younger generation wants to do things their way and the older generation
their way and the older generation
their way and the older generation believes that doing things their way
believes that doing things their way
believes that doing things their way holds society together anyway it’s a
holds society together anyway it’s a
holds society together anyway it’s a timeless story in fact it’s such a
timeless story in fact it’s such a
timeless story in fact it’s such a timeless story that on today this very
timeless story that on today this very
timeless story that on today this very day you could stand in the middle of
day you could stand in the middle of
day you could stand in the middle of Times Square and buy a ticket and see
Times Square and buy a ticket and see
Times Square and buy a ticket and see Fiddler on the Roof because it’s playing
Fiddler on the Roof because it’s playing
Fiddler on the Roof because it’s playing on Broadway tonight was written over 50
on Broadway tonight was written over 50
on Broadway tonight was written over 50 years ago and it’s been done again and
years ago and it’s been done again and
years ago and it’s been done again and again and again and again and is playing
again and again and again and is playing
again and again and again and is playing tonight not only is it a timeless story
tonight not only is it a timeless story
tonight not only is it a timeless story however it’s also a borderless story
however it’s also a borderless story
however it’s also a borderless story because the story has been translated
because the story has been translated
because the story has been translated into languages and done and produced
into languages and done and produced
into languages and done and produced around the world now I bet you can’t
around the world now I bet you can’t
around the world now I bet you can’t guess where other than the USA Fiddler
guess where other than the USA Fiddler
guess where other than the USA Fiddler on the Roof has been produced more than
on the Roof has been produced more than
on the Roof has been produced more than any other country Japan Japan why well
any other country Japan Japan why well
any other country Japan Japan why well if you think about it it’s a patriarchal
if you think about it it’s a patriarchal
if you think about it it’s a patriarchal society it’s dealing with its own
society it’s dealing with its own
society it’s dealing with its own struggles between generations about
struggles between generations about
struggles between generations about forced marriage versus the younger
forced marriage versus the younger
forced marriage versus the younger generation thinking they want to marry
generation thinking they want to marry
generation thinking they want to marry whoever they choose right a lot of the
whoever they choose right a lot of the
whoever they choose right a lot of the themes are universal in fact the very
themes are universal in fact the very
themes are universal in fact the very first Japanese producer in 1967 he went
first Japanese producer in 1967 he went
first Japanese producer in 1967 he went to the writers and he said we cannot
to the writers and he said we cannot
to the writers and he said we cannot believe this is a story made in the USA
believe this is a story made in the USA
believe this is a story made in the USA because it’s and I quote so Japanese
because it’s and I quote so Japanese
because it’s and I quote so Japanese that’s amazing let’s unpack that for a
that’s amazing let’s unpack that for a
that’s amazing let’s unpack that for a minute so we start with the story in
minute so we start with the story in
minute so we start with the story in late 1800s Russia which gets transferred
late 1800s Russia which gets transferred
late 1800s Russia which gets transferred over many years to the USA made into a
over many years to the USA made into a
over many years to the USA made into a musical which is now played almost more
musical which is now played almost more
musical which is now played almost more than any other country in Japan and
than any other country in Japan and
than any other country in Japan and influences a whole society
influences a whole society
influences a whole society that’s pretty amazing that’s just story
that’s pretty amazing that’s just story
that’s pretty amazing that’s just story so that’s the power of script and story
so that’s the power of script and story
so that’s the power of script and story but I also want to talk a little bit
but I also want to talk a little bit
but I also want to talk a little bit more about what makes theater theater I
more about what makes theater theater I
more about what makes theater theater I want to talk about how we gather right
want to talk about how we gather right
want to talk about how we gather right so we all come together as society and
so we all come together as society and
so we all come together as society and we say this is the place this is the
we say this is the place this is the
we say this is the place this is the theater and in Greek times they called
theater and in Greek times they called
theater and in Greek times they called it the festival as opposed to the
it the festival as opposed to the
it the festival as opposed to the athletic competition so we all gather
athletic competition so we all gather
athletic competition so we all gather for the festival and we all come in and
for the festival and we all come in and
for the festival and we all come in and like the athletic competition we’re all
like the athletic competition we’re all
like the athletic competition we’re all there to join as as a group as a society
there to join as as a group as a society
there to join as as a group as a society maybe we dress in a certain way we have
maybe we dress in a certain way we have
maybe we dress in a certain way we have a ritual but this is where the
a ritual but this is where the
a ritual but this is where the comparison with athletics and athletic
comparison with athletics and athletic
comparison with athletics and athletic events ends sporting events it ends why
events ends sporting events it ends why
events ends sporting events it ends why because when we go to sporting events
because when we go to sporting events
because when we go to sporting events when we go into that arena we go into
when we go into that arena we go into
when we go into that arena we go into that Coliseum we are pumped up we are
that Coliseum we are pumped up we are
that Coliseum we are pumped up we are ready to cheer on our team we are ready
ready to cheer on our team we are ready
ready to cheer on our team we are ready to cheer on our athlete our Olympian we
to cheer on our athlete our Olympian we
to cheer on our athlete our Olympian we go in with full opinions not willing to
go in with full opinions not willing to
go in with full opinions not willing to change how many times have you gone to a
change how many times have you gone to a
change how many times have you gone to a sporting event and halfway through your
sporting event and halfway through your
sporting event and halfway through your friend says the other team is playing
friend says the other team is playing
friend says the other team is playing really well I think I’m gonna root for
really well I think I’m gonna root for
really well I think I’m gonna root for the other side we don’t do that we don’t
the other side we don’t do that we don’t
the other side we don’t do that we don’t do that we come in with opinions and
do that we come in with opinions and
do that we come in with opinions and they’re not usually going to change in
they’re not usually going to change in
they’re not usually going to change in fact several theoreticians looked at
fact several theoreticians looked at
fact several theoreticians looked at this and they said the difference
this and they said the difference
this and they said the difference between the athletic event in the
between the athletic event in the
between the athletic event in the festival is that at the festival we
festival is that at the festival we
festival is that at the festival we leave our competition our our
leave our competition our our
leave our competition our our inclination for competition at the door
inclination for competition at the door
inclination for competition at the door we come in with an open mind we come in
we come in with an open mind we come in
we come in with an open mind we come in ready not involved it’s not imperative
ready not involved it’s not imperative
ready not involved it’s not imperative but we come in ready to have our mind
but we come in ready to have our mind
but we come in ready to have our mind changed maybe it’s still a group we
changed maybe it’s still a group we
changed maybe it’s still a group we still gather as a group and it’s still
still gather as a group and it’s still
still gather as a group and it’s still healthy for our society to gather as a
healthy for our society to gather as a
healthy for our society to gather as a group but just maybe we’re gonna change
group but just maybe we’re gonna change
group but just maybe we’re gonna change our mind that’s pretty interesting in
our mind that’s pretty interesting in
our mind that’s pretty interesting in fact physiologically our brains do the
fact physiologically our brains do the
fact physiologically our brains do the same thing they did studies in two
same thing they did studies in two
same thing they did studies in two seven that showed when you see a story
seven that showed when you see a story
seven that showed when you see a story and you’re interested in the story but
and you’re interested in the story but
and you’re interested in the story but your brain releases extra levels of the
your brain releases extra levels of the
your brain releases extra levels of the hormone oxytocin oxytocin conversely
hormone oxytocin oxytocin conversely
hormone oxytocin oxytocin conversely another story and other research has
another story and other research has
another story and other research has been shown to make the viewer more
been shown to make the viewer more
been shown to make the viewer more empathetic to what it is they’re
empathetic to what it is they’re
empathetic to what it is they’re watching so let’s unpack that a little
watching so let’s unpack that a little
watching so let’s unpack that a little bit just being interested in a story
bit just being interested in a story
bit just being interested in a story more oxytocin more oxytocin a heightened
more oxytocin more oxytocin a heightened
more oxytocin more oxytocin a heightened possibility for empathy that’s pretty
possibility for empathy that’s pretty
possibility for empathy that’s pretty amazing Aristotle had a word for this
amazing Aristotle had a word for this
amazing Aristotle had a word for this called it catharsis didn’t have studies
called it catharsis didn’t have studies
called it catharsis didn’t have studies but basic kinda came to understand that
but basic kinda came to understand that
but basic kinda came to understand that some artistic events could erase all of
some artistic events could erase all of
some artistic events could erase all of our previous fears all of our of our
our previous fears all of our of our
our previous fears all of our of our self-pity all of our negative emotions
self-pity all of our negative emotions
self-pity all of our negative emotions and we could emerge from an artistic
and we could emerge from an artistic
and we could emerge from an artistic event read nude have a catharsis and we
event read nude have a catharsis and we
event read nude have a catharsis and we could there is the potential for us to
could there is the potential for us to
could there is the potential for us to have a catharsis when we’re in this
have a catharsis when we’re in this
have a catharsis when we’re in this interaction in fact this interaction I
interaction in fact this interaction I
interaction in fact this interaction I think is so special and I alluded to it
think is so special and I alluded to it
think is so special and I alluded to it at the very beginning about falling off
at the very beginning about falling off
at the very beginning about falling off the stage because it’s a one-time thing
the stage because it’s a one-time thing
the stage because it’s a one-time thing we say it’s ephemeral it’s only going to
we say it’s ephemeral it’s only going to
we say it’s ephemeral it’s only going to happen once and it’s only going to
happen once and it’s only going to
happen once and it’s only going to happen this way and there’s an increased
happen this way and there’s an increased
happen this way and there’s an increased tension because you are there and I’m
tension because you are there and I’m
tension because you are there and I’m here and we’re reacting to one another
here and we’re reacting to one another
here and we’re reacting to one another and if we could drive there’s energy
and if we could drive there’s energy
and if we could drive there’s energy that I’m setting out to you and you’re
that I’m setting out to you and you’re
that I’m setting out to you and you’re setting energy to me and maybe we don’t
setting energy to me and maybe we don’t
setting energy to me and maybe we don’t talk about it that much but it
talk about it that much but it
talk about it that much but it definitely exists in fact when asked
definitely exists in fact when asked
definitely exists in fact when asked about why he did theater Sir Patrick
about why he did theater Sir Patrick
about why he did theater Sir Patrick Stewart the renowned British actor he
Stewart the renowned British actor he
Stewart the renowned British actor he said because I love the fact that for
said because I love the fact that for
said because I love the fact that for two hours I get to share the same air as
two hours I get to share the same air as
two hours I get to share the same air as the audience we are sharing something
the audience we are sharing something
the audience we are sharing something whether we know it or not you’re giving
whether we know it or not you’re giving
whether we know it or not you’re giving me energy and I’m giving you energy
me energy and I’m giving you energy
me energy and I’m giving you energy because it’s a live event and it’s only
because it’s a live event and it’s only
because it’s a live event and it’s only happening once what am I most favorite
happening once what am I most favorite
happening once what am I most favorite memories of being on stage ironically
memories of being on stage ironically
memories of being on stage ironically it’s about fiddler on the roof although
it’s about fiddler on the roof although
it’s about fiddler on the roof although it has nothing to do with the very first
it has nothing to do with the very first
it has nothing to do with the very first story fiddler on the roof
story fiddler on the roof
story fiddler on the roof in the middle of the show there’s a
in the middle of the show there’s a
in the middle of the show there’s a wedding and the original director
wedding and the original director
wedding and the original director choreographer Jerome Robbins came up
choreographer Jerome Robbins came up
choreographer Jerome Robbins came up with a brilliant scene in a dance in
with a brilliant scene in a dance in
with a brilliant scene in a dance in that wedding scene it’s called the
that wedding scene it’s called the
that wedding scene it’s called the bottle dance some of you may have seen
bottle dance some of you may have seen
bottle dance some of you may have seen it before
it before
it before what happens is everybody’s drinking
what happens is everybody’s drinking
what happens is everybody’s drinking wine they’re having a great time they’re
wine they’re having a great time they’re
wine they’re having a great time they’re at the wedding and then suddenly they
at the wedding and then suddenly they
at the wedding and then suddenly they put the wine glasses down and one person
put the wine glasses down and one person
put the wine glasses down and one person starts and he puts a bottle on top of
starts and he puts a bottle on top of
starts and he puts a bottle on top of his head and he’s there they’re all
his head and he’s there they’re all
his head and he’s there they’re all wearing flat-topped wide-brimmed hats
wearing flat-topped wide-brimmed hats
wearing flat-topped wide-brimmed hats still in russia 1800s Russia right and
still in russia 1800s Russia right and
still in russia 1800s Russia right and so they have these special hats so the
so they have these special hats so the
so they have these special hats so the curvature of the of the head doesn’t
curvature of the of the head doesn’t
curvature of the of the head doesn’t make the name impossible but it’s still
make the name impossible but it’s still
make the name impossible but it’s still very difficult because they balance a
very difficult because they balance a
very difficult because they balance a bottle on top of the Hat and eight or
bottle on top of the Hat and eight or
bottle on top of the Hat and eight or ten or twelve dancers all come forward
ten or twelve dancers all come forward
ten or twelve dancers all come forward and they all get in a line all with
and they all get in a line all with
and they all get in a line all with bottles on top of their heads and with
bottles on top of their heads and with
bottles on top of their heads and with their hands up and they’re connected
their hands up and they’re connected
their hands up and they’re connected hand to hand and it’s an incredibly
hand to hand and it’s an incredibly
hand to hand and it’s an incredibly difficult moment as a performer because
difficult moment as a performer because
difficult moment as a performer because not only do you have to keep the bottle
not only do you have to keep the bottle
not only do you have to keep the bottle from falling off your head but your
from falling off your head but your
from falling off your head but your adjustments can’t be too big because
adjustments can’t be too big because
adjustments can’t be too big because then like a domino effect you’ll knock
then like a domino effect you’ll knock
then like a domino effect you’ll knock the person next to you off-balance so
the person next to you off-balance so
the person next to you off-balance so it’s very tense it’s a very tense moment
it’s very tense it’s a very tense moment
it’s very tense it’s a very tense moment and you’re trying to adjust and it
and you’re trying to adjust and it
and you’re trying to adjust and it starts out very slow and you’re moving
starts out very slow and you’re moving
starts out very slow and you’re moving very slowly and it increases in
very slowly and it increases in
very slowly and it increases in difficulty and pretty soon we’re all
difficulty and pretty soon we’re all
difficulty and pretty soon we’re all turning and then we start going under
turning and then we start going under
turning and then we start going under the arms of each other and there’s a big
the arms of each other and there’s a big
the arms of each other and there’s a big climax we all go down to the knees and
climax we all go down to the knees and
climax we all go down to the knees and we slide along the knees and the music
we slide along the knees and the music
we slide along the knees and the music is really dramatic and now if the bottle
is really dramatic and now if the bottle
is really dramatic and now if the bottle falls there’s a conceit built-in for
falls there’s a conceit built-in for
falls there’s a conceit built-in for that because what you’re supposed to do
that because what you’re supposed to do
that because what you’re supposed to do is pick up the bottle and walk over to
is pick up the bottle and walk over to
is pick up the bottle and walk over to the side of the stage and watch the rest
the side of the stage and watch the rest
the side of the stage and watch the rest of it from the side but if if you keep
of it from the side but if if you keep
of it from the side but if if you keep the bottle on your head to the end
the bottle on your head to the end
the bottle on your head to the end there’s a long sustained note in the
there’s a long sustained note in the
there’s a long sustained note in the orchestra you give the bottle to the
orchestra you give the bottle to the
orchestra you give the bottle to the rabbi and then you’re allowed to dance
rabbi and then you’re allowed to dance
rabbi and then you’re allowed to dance the ecstasy section and then you go into
the ecstasy section and then you go into
the ecstasy section and then you go into the ecstasy section and it’s whipping
the ecstasy section and it’s whipping
the ecstasy section and it’s whipping the arms and you have this big
the arms and you have this big
the arms and you have this big celebration and you think I made it I’m
celebration and you think I made it I’m
celebration and you think I made it I’m tonight and the audience is leaning
tonight and the audience is leaning
tonight and the audience is leaning forward and you can feel the tension and
forward and you can feel the tension and
forward and you can feel the tension and they know they can see the bottle moving
they know they can see the bottle moving
they know they can see the bottle moving side to side it’s very simple but that
side to side it’s very simple but that
side to side it’s very simple but that tension is palpable it’s real now some
tension is palpable it’s real now some
tension is palpable it’s real now some nights the bottle falls off and that’s
nights the bottle falls off and that’s
nights the bottle falls off and that’s actually a great experience not for the
actually a great experience not for the
actually a great experience not for the performer but it’s a great experience
performer but it’s a great experience
performer but it’s a great experience because then you know the audience knows
because then you know the audience knows
because then you know the audience knows it’s not a gimmick
it’s not a gimmick
it’s not a gimmick it’s actually a challenge right it’s
it’s actually a challenge right it’s
it’s actually a challenge right it’s like the net is under the tightrope
like the net is under the tightrope
like the net is under the tightrope walker in the first time the tightrope
walker in the first time the tightrope
walker in the first time the tightrope walker falls we go oh my gosh it’s
walker falls we go oh my gosh it’s
walker falls we go oh my gosh it’s dangerous out there
dangerous out there
dangerous out there the same idea there is attention to it
the same idea there is attention to it
the same idea there is attention to it some nights everybody keeps the bottle
some nights everybody keeps the bottle
some nights everybody keeps the bottle on their heads and people think it’s a
on their heads and people think it’s a
on their heads and people think it’s a gimmick it can’t be real it’s glued on
gimmick it can’t be real it’s glued on
gimmick it can’t be real it’s glued on velcro right taped on but whatever it is
velcro right taped on but whatever it is
velcro right taped on but whatever it is this interaction that we have is
this interaction that we have is
this interaction that we have is incredibly important because I believe
incredibly important because I believe
incredibly important because I believe that the energy you send me and the
that the energy you send me and the
that the energy you send me and the energy that I send you back means
energy that I send you back means
energy that I send you back means something if you’ve ever talked to
something if you’ve ever talked to
something if you’ve ever talked to performers who do the same show night
performers who do the same show night
performers who do the same show night after night after night they’ll say
after night after night they’ll say
after night after night they’ll say something like last night the audience
something like last night the audience
something like last night the audience was lousy tonight they’re great what
was lousy tonight they’re great what
was lousy tonight they’re great what they’re saying is that this energy
they’re saying is that this energy
they’re saying is that this energy transfer was really positive I had a
transfer was really positive I had a
transfer was really positive I had a really positive energy transfer with you
really positive energy transfer with you
really positive energy transfer with you tonight last night not so much we as as
tonight last night not so much we as as
tonight last night not so much we as as performers are trained to not let your
performers are trained to not let your
performers are trained to not let your response affect what it is we’re
response affect what it is we’re
response affect what it is we’re supposed to do that’s the idea although
supposed to do that’s the idea although
supposed to do that’s the idea although I can tell you from experience that’s
I can tell you from experience that’s
I can tell you from experience that’s really hard because if you’re not
really hard because if you’re not
really hard because if you’re not laughing where everybody else has
laughing where everybody else has
laughing where everybody else has laughed every other night it starts to
laughed every other night it starts to
laughed every other night it starts to affect me and I have to really try hard
affect me and I have to really try hard
affect me and I have to really try hard not to give you lower energy because
not to give you lower energy because
not to give you lower energy because lower energy is only going to make your
lower energy is only going to make your
lower energy is only going to make your show worse and there’s a real feedback
show worse and there’s a real feedback
show worse and there’s a real feedback loop that happens here and I suggest
loop that happens here and I suggest
loop that happens here and I suggest that this heightened tension this makes
that this heightened tension this makes
that this heightened tension this makes everything else that we talked about the
everything else that we talked about the
everything else that we talked about the capacity for empathy the capacity for
capacity for empathy the capacity for
capacity for empathy the capacity for the catharsis the capacity for gathering
the catharsis the capacity for gathering
the catharsis the capacity for gathering together it makes it all possible and it
together it makes it all possible and it
together it makes it all possible and it heightens it in fact if we can say that
heightens it in fact if we can say that
heightens it in fact if we can say that theater is a unique place where
theater is a unique place where
theater is a unique place where we can come together as one tribe we can
we can come together as one tribe we can
we can come together as one tribe we can celebrate the things that we share we
celebrate the things that we share we
celebrate the things that we share we can have a capacity to have our minds
can have a capacity to have our minds
can have a capacity to have our minds changed to see stories that have some
changed to see stories that have some
changed to see stories that have some kind of impact on us well isn’t that the
kind of impact on us well isn’t that the
kind of impact on us well isn’t that the perfect opportunity to sit next to
perfect opportunity to sit next to
perfect opportunity to sit next to somebody from a different culture from
somebody from a different culture from
somebody from a different culture from somewhere different than where we’re
somewhere different than where we’re
somewhere different than where we’re from who speaks a different language
from who speaks a different language
from who speaks a different language dresses a different way has a different
dresses a different way has a different
dresses a different way has a different belief system I think it is
belief system I think it is
belief system I think it is unfortunately I think we missed this
unfortunately I think we missed this
unfortunately I think we missed this opportunity a lot I’ve been in Taiwan
opportunity a lot I’ve been in Taiwan
opportunity a lot I’ve been in Taiwan for 15 years I go to Taiwanese theatres
for 15 years I go to Taiwanese theatres
for 15 years I go to Taiwanese theatres all the time I’ve been amazed the fact
all the time I’ve been amazed the fact
all the time I’ve been amazed the fact that local producers they don’t make a
that local producers they don’t make a
that local producers they don’t make a lot of effort to reach foreigners they
lot of effort to reach foreigners they
lot of effort to reach foreigners they don’t and I think that the thinking goes
don’t and I think that the thinking goes
don’t and I think that the thinking goes it’s in Chinese and they’re just not
it’s in Chinese and they’re just not
it’s in Chinese and they’re just not going to understand
going to understand
going to understand conversely they’re not entirely to blame
conversely they’re not entirely to blame
conversely they’re not entirely to blame because most of my foreign friends think
because most of my foreign friends think
because most of my foreign friends think the same thing well I know that there’s
the same thing well I know that there’s
the same thing well I know that there’s theater going on but I don’t think I
theater going on but I don’t think I
theater going on but I don’t think I want to go because my Chinese is
want to go because my Chinese is
want to go because my Chinese is probably not good enough I want to take
probably not good enough I want to take
probably not good enough I want to take the opportunity to remind you that that
the opportunity to remind you that that
the opportunity to remind you that that researchers have found that the language
researchers have found that the language
researchers have found that the language in an interpersonal communication that
in an interpersonal communication that
in an interpersonal communication that accounts for 7% of the meaning there’s
accounts for 7% of the meaning there’s
accounts for 7% of the meaning there’s 93% which is non verbal and contextual
93% which is non verbal and contextual
93% which is non verbal and contextual and I suggest that there still is value
and I suggest that there still is value
and I suggest that there still is value in going to a show even if you don’t
in going to a show even if you don’t
in going to a show even if you don’t understand the language whether that’s
understand the language whether that’s
understand the language whether that’s in Taiwan whether that’s in Italy
in Taiwan whether that’s in Italy
in Taiwan whether that’s in Italy whether that’s in Argentina anywhere
whether that’s in Argentina anywhere
whether that’s in Argentina anywhere because I think that at this time when
because I think that at this time when
because I think that at this time when we really need increased global
we really need increased global
we really need increased global understanding when we need to get
understanding when we need to get
understanding when we need to get together and understand one another then
together and understand one another then
together and understand one another then can we use theatre as a way to
can we use theatre as a way to
can we use theatre as a way to understand that we can work together
understand that we can work together
understand that we can work together that we can coexist and that maybe just
that we can coexist and that maybe just
that we can coexist and that maybe just maybe we can solve some of our bigger
maybe we can solve some of our bigger
maybe we can solve some of our bigger problems I think we can thank you for
problems I think we can thank you for
problems I think we can thank you for your time
your time
your time [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
Be First to Comment