Making a difference through authentic autobiographical performance

Authentic autobiographical performance has the potential to open up possibilities for audience members to see their lives in new ways and take actions that make a difference in the world. This article describes the development of a 45-minute autobiographical performance from its initial creation in 2017 through its evolutionary journey to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2024, and beyond. The creative process is presented from the perspective of both the performer and the director-coach, and brings together the worlds of education and theatre. The authors ask themselves: what does it mean to share their lived experiences authentically? They conclude that the act of creating an authentic performance can be transformational for the performer, and that creating distance between the audience and the performance provides audience members with an opportunity to take a fresh look at their own lives.