TEDxBroadway: What Is the Best That Broadway Can Be?

The second-annual TEDxBroadway, a one-day event about the highest aspirations of Broadway as a location and destination, will kick off on January 28th, 2013 at New World Stages in New York City, New York.

The day-long event will begin where the sold out 2012 TEDxBroadway left off, bringing together some of the most passionate and influential people in academics, entertainment, marketing, and media to answer the question: "What's the best that Broadway can be -- on stage, in the community, and throughout the world?"

"TEDxBroadway invites everyone who has a stake in Broadway, a neighborhood of New York City, to participate in shaping its future," said Jim McCarthy CEO of Goldstar and an organizer of the event. "Our goal is to present speakers who inspire ideas, conversations, and growth."

TEDxBroadway will feature stimulating presentations by artists, entrepreneurs, non-profit theatre executives, and business experts, including:

• Seth Pinsky, president of NYC's Economic Development Corporation
• Thomas Schumacher, president of Disney Theatrical Group, award-winning Broadway producer
• Randi Zuckerberg, founder of Zuckerberg Media, award-winning producer, media personality
• Terry Teachout, drama critic at the Wall Street Journal
• Christine Jones, artistic director of Theatre for One, a portable private performing arts space for one actor and one audience member
• Josh Harris, founder of the world's first internet radio/television network, Pseudo Programs, Inc., and subject of the Sundance award-winning documentary film We Live In Public

"Broadway is about more than theatre as a genre and today's hottest shows. There's an ecosystem that has far-reaching impact on the entire world," said producer Ken Davenport. "We were encouraged from last year's TEDxBroadway attendees to keep this discussion going to examine other influences, new opportunities, and add fresh perspectives."

"At the end of the day, it's all about ideas," said Damian Bazadona, founder of Situation Interactive. "We're taking a positive approach to the issues and opportunities facing Broadway and know that it's going to demand collective effort and collective planning."

TEDxBroadway is co-organized by Bazadona, Davenport, and McCarthy. The event's co-organizing sponsors are Jujamcyn Theaters, Google, and Broadway.com. Thought leader sponsors include: Fathom Events, Theatermania, and NewYork.com. Supporting sponsorship is provided by Audience Rewards, Chase Bank, Davis Wright Tremaine, Camp Broadway, and BroadwayWorld.com.

TEDxBroadway, an independently organized event licensed by TED, aims to engage all participants and stakeholders in the vitality of the community-both on stage and in the audience-to develop a vision and commitment to the future of Broadway.