Ideas change everything

Performance

A collection of TED Talks (and more) on the topic of Performance.

Video playlists about Performance

The Butterfly Effect: Talks from the TEDinArabic Summit

In March 2023, 17 speakers from across the world gathered in Doha for the inaugural TEDinArabic Summit. From climate change and politics to sports and fashion, enjoy this sweeping selection of talks.

Why art is essential to democracy

Art invites viewers into perspectives and ways of life different from their own -- and with that, helps foster a sense of empathy required for democracy. Learn about the creative avenues art takes in giving power to the people.

How art shapes conversation

Powerful art makes people talk. These TED Talks bring context and nuanced perspectives to subjects surrounding history, race, socioeconomics and more.

The magic of the human voice

From beat-boxing battles to a digital choir of 2000 people, these talks celebrate the beauty and versatility of the human voice.

See all playlists on Performance

Talks about Performance

Bill Heck and Stephanie Lepp

Why meeting in the middle isn’t enough for today’s trickiest debates

Jena Friedman

The jokes AI won’t tell

Todd Almond and Donna Murphy

A musical duet with AI herself

Shalewa Sharpe

What introverts wish everyone else knew

Tony Testa

A spine-tingling dance of light and shadow

Marc Bamuthi Joseph and Wendy Whelan

The role of art and forgiveness in democracy

HEAVY BOOTS

A dance that turns like a machine

Joshua Roman

How music helped me live through long COVID

UMI

"Remember Me" / "happy im"

Baron Ryan

Confessions of a recovering people pleaser

Sahba Aminikia

The greatest show on Earth — for kids who need it most

Xiuhtezcatl

"Careful" / "Veils"

Snow Raven

How I imitate nature's voices

Scarlet Keys

Why do you love your favorite songs?

Shu Takada

Yo! Have you ever seen a yo-yo dance like this?

Elle Cordova

Poetry and music that reaches across the digital void

See all talks on Performance

Exclusive articles about Performance

A brief history of tap dance (and why it’s still a great art form)

Here’s how the dancer, teacher and dance historian Andrew Nemr is trying to make tap dance relevant again.

Posted Nov 2015

Each of us bears the imprint of a friend met along the way

How a performance by Rives conjured a much-loved poem for Helen Walters, and helped her develop a new appreciation for the art of poetry. Maybe.

Posted May 2014