Can Theatre Actually Change Anything?: Tom Bowtell at TEDxStormont

Tom Bowtell is one of three co-directors of Coney, a network of artists and makers who create stories, adventure and play. Coney combine theatre and game mechanics to create responsive shows and events that can take place wherever the audience and their imaginations are: online, on stage, in the streets and in schools. @Tom_Bowtell

Can theatre actually change anything? With accusations of irrelevance constantly being hurled its way, and with the digital media providing humans with an ever-expanding array of ways to express themselves, Tom Bowtell explores theatre's ability to effect change in people and the world. One of three co-directors of Coney, a company which creates responsive theatre, adventure and play, Tom discusses the powerful potential of offering theatre audiences agency over how the story ends, inviting them to co-create the theatrical experience.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)