Inaugural lecture by David O'Donnell

Description

Throughout human history, the theatre has maintained its magnetic attraction as a dynamic, accessible mode of storytelling. The digitalisation of society has not diluted the power of live performance, it has given it new relevance.

In this lecture, Professor David O’Donnell will examine the contribution of the theatre to the cultural capital of Aotearoa New Zealand. At its best, theatre is community-forming– uniting audiences in a shared experience of contemplating the crucial issues of the time. Most importantly, the theatre teaches us empathy, at a period in time where we need a sense of compassionate responsiveness more than ever before.