Looking at Arts Festivals in a New Way

I had the opportunity to view a very inspiring TED Talk by theatre producer and four-time Tony nominee David Binder. The talk, titled TheArts Festival Revolution, began with his personal testimony about a site specific performance piece that he viewed in the Australian suburb of Minto. The really unique element about this performance piece is that the performers were actually the residents of this particular suburb. The audience walked from house to house throughout the neighborhood, and each performer did different cultural dances out on their front lawns. Binder described this unique piece of art as something incredible that created a sense of ownership and community within the people of that town.  He described it as a stepping-stone in this revolutionization of performance arts festivals.

Binder explained that when arts festivals were first brought about, most of the art within the festival were considered “high art,” a term used to describe art of a more significant caliber. As the decades have passed, the art has transformed and changed from highs into lows, and then back into highs. Recently, however, newer art festivals have emerged and started to take a slightly different approach. Binder discusses that there are many performance festivals that are immersing their audience into the actual performance; that there are no walls to contain or limit the imagination of those participating. It creates this sort of strong communal bond with any one who attends these shows.

Looking at this revolution from a much larger scale than the suburb of Minto, there was a festival put on by Royal Deluxe that was held in the heart of the city of London. For several days, thousands of people gathered around to be apart of this particular performance. Binder discusses how much of an impact a festival like this had on the city of London. He even goes so far as to say that this performance transformed a massive city into a tight nit community.  Which really goes to show the power that can come from live performances of any kind. No matter how big or small, they can be done anywhere, at any moment, on any day. They allow cities as a whole to decompress and express themselves; which in turn makes them better places to live.

This short, nine minute talk really just solidified my love for theatre. Binder does a great job captivating the audience with pictures and personal testimonies about how these performances have transformed so many cities, and brought together so many people. This type of impact is exactly why I want to open up my own theatre. I feel like, even if I inspire just a small group of people, I will have fulfilled my purpose in this world.