The year was 1970. The place was Wilson Elementary School located in a working-class neighborhood of Wichita, Kansas. I was five-years-old and a kindergartener. I didn’t know it, but my life was about to change forever.

My teacher decided that our class would present a Christmas play. She chose the ultimate holiday story – the birth of Christ. Mind you this was a public school, but it was also 1970. For whatever reason, I wanted to play the role of Joseph. I really wanted to be Joseph. My teacher told me I was too short to be Joseph. Instead, she cast me in the pivotal role of the Star of Bethlehem. 

On performance day, our classroom was made into a makeshift theatre with the acting area located below the chalkboard at the front of the room. As a 6th grade class made their way into the center of the room to watch our first performance, I stood ready at the back with my glittery star attached to a dowel rod.

When it came time for my entrance, I lifted my star into the air and started moving forward. I quickly realized the 6th grade students stood between me and the stage. They were blocking my path to the manger. Unsure of what was going to happen, I kept moving and, like the Red Sea itself, the 6th graders parted miraculously and I moved through them to take my place in the nativity scene.

In those seconds of uncertainty, I wasn’t scared or nervous. Strangely, I felt calm. I felt at home. It was at that moment that I fell in love with theatre. It was also when I discovered my purpose and passion in life. 

Looking back 55 years ago, what was it about that moment that resonated so strongly with me? Yes, I enjoyed the attention, but it was more than that. I felt a positive energy that came from my interaction with the audience. For the first time, I experienced the powerful sense of connection that live performance affords both actors and audience.

Out of those feelings of connection comes the opportunity to experience something else - empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. When we are empathetic, we stop fearing those who differ from us. Instead, we recognize our common humanity in spite of our differences. 

At its most basic level, theatre is an art form grounded in empathy. Acting is all about understanding and living the truth of the character you play. The opportunity to empathize is extended to the audience as well. 

When we, as an audience, come to see a show, we each arrive with our own set of beliefs and an understanding of the world. As the house lights go down and the curtain goes up, it is a moment of possibility. Over the course of the performance, we may encounter ideas and content that contradict what we believe to be true. We may witness characters with whom we disagree, dislike, or don’t understand. 

As their life stories play out in front of us, we will go on a journey with those characters. We will “walk in their shoes” as we see and experience the world from their perspective. In the process, we have the chance to gain a broader and deeper understanding of the diversity of the human experience. For this to happen, we have to be open to the idea of seeing the world through someone else’s eyes and accepting the truth that everyone experiences life in different ways.

Through connecting and empathizing with those who have a different history and life experience than we do, we will experience the world differently. Sometimes this will lead us to change our viewpoints and reject old, often long held, beliefs. Even if we don’t change our worldview, we will be more likely to treat others with compassion and seek understanding rather than discord. 

As Americans, we are blessed to live in the most diverse society to ever exist in human history. It is a source of our greatness and a strength for us. Yet, we live in age in which many increasingly fear diversity and difference. Instead of working to bring us together, we have leaders who discourage understanding and empathy while promoting division. 

There is nothing wrong with debate and disagreement, but, ultimately, we have no choice but to exist together. We can learn an important lesson from the theatre. When we attempt to understand another person and share their feelings, it is potentially a transforming moment of connection that makes us stronger. At this moment in time, we need to embrace the art of empathy more than ever. I would rather live in an America in which we, as individuals and a nation, practice respect over hate, kindness over cruelty, inclusion over demonization, and acknowledge the diversity of life experiences. 

John H. Taylor is a faculty member at Adams State University. These views are his own and do not reflect those of the university.