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How theatre can can lead to constructive political conversations

Can Theatre Bridge the Divide? | Anthony Moseley & Marcus Robinson with Ciaran O’Connor & Alma Cook

Theater has a long history of impacting social change in America.

One example today is the Collaboraction Theatre Company, a Chicago nonprofit exploring theater's role in social change. Through its year-round programming, the group invites its crew and audience members alike to listen and learn from one another, bringing their disagreements and questions in tow.


In this interview with Braver Angels, Collaboraction's artistic director, Anthony Moseley, and former executive director, Marcus Robinson, share their experiences with hosts Ciaran O'Connor and Alma Cook as they discuss how theater can open people up to more constructive political conversations.

The video explores how the troubles of 2020 affected their work, how people of all political viewpoints can be made to feel more welcome in artistic spaces and more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLttzaEExPg&t=2214s

To learn more about how theater can be used to open American’s minds to listening and learning from each other visit collaboraction.org .

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Ben Folds Upcoming Tour: Offers His Fans a Time to Reflect

Ben Folds performs on stage with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra at Perth Concert Hall on January 28, 2021 in Perth, Australia.

Getty Images, Matt Jelonek

Ben Folds Upcoming Tour: Offers His Fans a Time to Reflect

In February, Ben Folds resigned as artistic adviser to the National Symphony Orchestra, shortly after President Donald Trump took charge of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. “Given developments at the Kennedy Center, effective today I am resigning as artistic advisor to the NSO,” Folds wrote on Instagram on February 12. “Not for me.”

While Folds is not overtly political, he has used his music as a platform to encourage dialogue and understanding within his audience. He has the opportunity to do so in his recently announced 2025 concert tour, which includes the “Paper Airplane Request Tour,” where members of the audience can request songs by sending paper airplanes to the stage.

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Sony Pictures Entertainment

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With the weather getting colder across the northern hemisphere and some holiday time with family and friends coming up, you might want to kick back with a movie. We’ve got you. Here are some movies that will give you hope, leave you smiling and maybe inspire you to get out and rebuild social trust in your community in 2025.

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The role of theater in fostering constructive political dialogue
Tom McGrath/TCMcGPhotography

The role of theater in fostering constructive political dialogue

While it may seem like our country is more politically divided than ever, political division has been a recurring theme throughout American history.

The Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the struggle for civil rights, the protests surrounding the Vietnam War and similar events highlight how deeply divided opinions can become. Each of these periods had its own complex set of issues and emotions, and they shaped the nation in significant ways.

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