The Transformative Power of "Dear Evan Hansen" | Julie Stroud | TEDxBroadway

Seeing a reflection of yourself on stage can be a powerful moment, as Julie Stroud explains. Her experience watching the Broadway show "Dear Evan Hansen" opened up a well of compassion, not only for the characters, but also for herself. She encourages her audience to engage with theater in a more active way, and use theater to illuminate the parts of ourselves that need light. Julie Stroud is a Master Integrative Life Coach, corporate consultant and trainer, and President and Chief Operating Officer of The Ford Institute, a premier transformational training company. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@life_amidst_its_perils]

So touching. I feel almost the same way about Dear Evan Hansen, the only difference is that I recognized myself in Evan's anxiety (not his lies) and it helped me a lot.

[@manuelorozco7760]

Emma xx I have mild high functioning autism

[@thelifeless8815]

Dear Even Hansen represents my life and it's getting worse

[@introxgrunt]

Oh, awesome. I’m crying because of Dear Evan Hansen again.

[@manuelorozco7760]

Well said. I saw DEH three weeks ago in Costa Mesa on its national tour. In over a decade that I have been attending the best of musical theatre right in My California backyard mostly national tours and occasionally regional productions, I had not been so excited and extremely nervous at the same time to see a show this big in hype and popularity since Wicked. I can relate to Evan mainly because I have mild high functioning autism. My hands sometimes get sweaty when I am excited or nervous. I sometimes talk too fast that I need to slow down so others can verbally understand me. And in high school, I struggled with random thoughts of suicide. Luckily I never did try to hurt myself or told a bunch of severe lies. But what makes DEH beautiful is the chance for me to find a musical protagonist to connect and identify with. Like Connor, I always had my mom and dad around with me every day as well as siblings. I’m one of the three triplet brothers to be exact. My cousin who took me to the show connected with Heidi because she’s a divorced mom taking care of her 8-9 year old son. So us emotionally bonding over DEH made the afternoon more special. And the show feels refreshing in terms of presentation and emotional intimacy.

[@eugeneflorido2746]

This is so touching. It made me cry and I could still feel the goosebumps all over my body. This video made me love Dear Evan Hansen even more.

[@everosenberg3842]

So Profound! So True! So Relatable! Brought tears to my eyes. I have seen many shows that have touched me deeply and you have given me a better way to articulate why. Thank you Julie!

[@laurenring9721]

If there’s a musical that can save thousands of lives including my own, than it’s amazing and touching and beautiful. ‘Nuff said.

[@nancylevin8985]

Bold. Beautiful. Heartfelt. Riveting. Human. ♥️

[@6ixpixl438]

That song in the first 5 seconds... that's the isn't that the Goodbye Song by Joe Iconis?

[@kass2547]

It is!

[@ruzspruce9984]

*cues the ominous music*

[@martha_s]

So powerful.

[@HaNnAlmm]

Wow.

[@adriannjenga5125]

Alice Mwangi

[@pearlms1624]

Real-life victim of her lies here. Taking this in.