Present
Our Changemakers.

These shows are ideal for performing arts venues.

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Bring the World to Your Stage

Dynamic Storytellers for Every Audience

Our intrepid mix of world-class journalists, photographers, authors, scientists, inventors, and filmmakers captivate audiences, drive ticket sales, and spark meaningful community conversation.  Changemakers have lit up every kind of stage, from intimate 450-seat theaters to sold-out 5,000-seat symphony halls. Whether you’re curating a Changemaker Speaker Series or looking for a unique voice to round out your celebrity series, we have you covered.

Trending Shows

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Trending Shows •

  • The Helmsman

    Andy Mann & the Eli West Trio

    National Geographic photographer Andy Mann is joined by multi-instrumentalists who play an original score of folk, bluegrass, and roots music, paired with salty tales to inspire wonder and conservation.

  • Becoming Human

    Ella Al-Shamahi
    Paleoanthropologist

    Journey across continents and deep time with evolutionary biologist Ella Al-Shamahi to discover why, after sharing Earth with at least seven other human species, only Homo sapiens remain.

  • A Walk in the Park

    Kevin Fedarko & Pete McBride
    Author & Photographer

    This epic hike took Kevin and Pete 750 miles, through slot canyons and all four seasons to understand the challenges facing The Grand Canyon today and to contemplate the value of wild spaces.

See All Touring Shows

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Best Practices for a Successful Series

  • Shows Sell Shows

    Program 3-5 shows per season, spaced about 4 weeks apart.  This invites your audience to invest their valuable entertainment time with you, but it doesn’t overtax their social schedule.

  • Balance Your Content

    Choose a wide variety of content for a balanced series. For example: blend history, adventure, exploration, trending topics such as AI, and science or discovery.

  • Present A Chorus Of Voices

    To connect with your audience, present a broad mix of voices, cultural perspectives, and personalities.

  • Announce Early

    Announce your Changemaker Series in the late spring, whenever you announce your full season, for the maximum ticketing window.

  • Lead With Subscriptions

    Launch with subscription-only sales and discounted pricing for subscribers, then add single-event ticket sales closer to the first show.

  • Create A VIP Package

    Create a VIP Experience package that includes premium seats, a pre-show reception with the featured speaker, and a signed book.

  • Cultivate Support

    Grow a second revenue stream and expand your target audience reach by engaging sponsors, in-kind, community, media, and retail partners.

  • Earned Media

    These speakers are the best at what they do: NASA engineers, astronauts, bestselling authors, and award-winning journalists. Drive awareness and ticket sales through earned media.

  • Inspire Students

    We have so many stories of students encountering our speakers years later to thank them for the moment they found their passion.  All Changemakers have shows tailored to students in grades 5-12.

  • Amplify Your Reach

    Our speakers have robust fan bases and social media followings. Meet your audience where they live.

  • Partnership For The Win

    We’ve got you. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and help you figure it out.  Just say the word!

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FAQs

  • The series performs well in theaters from 500-2,500 seats.  We offer a range of shows priced to scale.

  • 3-5 events/season makes for a strong offering, since it gives theaters a chance to offer a wide variety of subject matter and personalities.

  • Yes, we have national sponsors for the Changemaker Series and we encourage our presenting partners to seek local sponsors and community partners that can provide a mix of financial support (from area businesses, family offices, etc.), in-kind resources (such as hospitality offerings, advertising space) and cross promotion (such as on-site signage, member discounts, and digital promotion from content adjacent organizations and retail outlets).  We are happy to share best practices as you plan your outreach.

  • Changemaker shows consist of 60 minutes of dynamic storytelling, paired with a multi-media show (think: TED talk on steroids), followed by Q&A with your audience.  The Q&A may be moderated by your emcee or led by the speaker.  It may also be conducted in whatever method suits your venue best (i.e., Digital apps such as Slido or Mentimeter, roving microphones, usher collected note cards).  Speakers are also available for VIP receptions, and audience meet & greet and book signing post-show.

  • Our Vital Impacts student program features a subset of our touring speakers and focuses on environmental education.  We program these student programs in collaboration with our program partner, the nonprofit Vital Impacts.  Our joint goal is to cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards and to demonstrate rewarding environmental careers.

  • We have a Tech Rider for each speaker, but generally, each venue will need to provide this set-up:

    • High quality projector, suitable for the space

    • The largest screen you can fit into your space. We recommend one screen for proscenium stages, but we understand some halls call for two large screens with the presenter at center stage to support continental-style seating.

    • Mac computer running the latest version of iOS (90% of our digital programs are delivered with Keynote software)

    • Headset mic for the presenter(s)

    • DSAN Perfect Cue remote to advance slides

    • Audio link to the show computer

    • Live music programs have additional backline requirements

  • We partner with you from the programming phase through the event.  Here are a few ways we help you succeed:

    • We work with you closely to help identify programming that will resonate with your audience.

    • We offer robust electronic press kits for each speaker.

    • All speakers are available for media interviews.

    • We offer brainstorming for media hooks.

    • We will review and weigh in on your sponsorship decks.

  • Yes!  Each of our speakers offers a shorter version of the public show, designed specifically for students.  We recommend a target student audience of 5th-12th grade. We also encourage you to invite area retirement communities to attend these shows, since the matinee timing is more suitable for them.

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