Call to Action: Elevating Activism in Performance

Abstract

ABSTRACT Social change develops over time, but it begins with individual and collective actions by real people. In the current American atmosphere of resistance, activism, and art-ivism, what are the tools that artists can employ to motivate audience members to act? This article illuminates the call to action, an essential element of persuasive speaking and writing, and relates it to theatre performance tracking effective practices and encouraging further development of this approach. An effective call to action is clear and direct, has the audience act quickly, lowers barriers to action, focuses on benefits for the audience, and is customized for each person. In theatre performance, it is customary for theatre artists to pose problems—and through this article, I urge the artist to go a step further by engaging in direct and specific calls to action.