Yesterday we performed our 103rd large-scale show and our 14th at the Royal Albert Hall. This time, it was a performance of We’re Gonna Change the World—a piece in which 1,100 young people came together to dance, act, and sing about the world they live in and the things that shape it.
At one moment in the show, we flew in large puppets representing global leaders. Before the performance, I said to the cast, “ You’re growing up in this world, and this is your chance to share what matters to you. Not many young people get a platform to talk to the world leaders— but you do. Find your voice and let it be heard when you sing, dance, and act.”
As I often tell our students, “I don’t go to the theatre just to see the steps or hear the words. I go to feel the connections between the performers,” that’s what stays with me. Bring something of yourself to the stage, and that’s what people will remember.” And they do, every time.
Those who know us understand it’s not about preaching a message —it’s about performance. Playing a role with passion is still playing a role. What matters is that young people explore, express, and create ideas and do so powerfully with a voice.
I don’t want to tell them what to think—I want them to enjoy themselves and pour their heart into their work. Young people are sharper than we sometimes give them credit for. They have their own ideas, and yes, those evolve, but that’s part of growing up. Our role is to give them a safe space and some tools to make it happen. And boy did they do that, so much so, that there was a standing ovation and prolonged applause – richly deserved.
When hundreds of performers lift their voices together, it becomes more than a performance—it’s a shared energy, if I’m being fancy – it’s a collective heartbeat. It’s inspiring, sometimes deeply moving. They remind us that the generation we’re raising needs hope and optimism just as much as we once did.
The world may be more complicated now, but some of these young people will be tomorrow’s leaders. By stepping into different roles and perspectives, they not only bring stories to life but also learn something about themselves—and perhaps teach us something in the process.
