Look Who it Was Random video

Magic Moments: The Transformative Power of Theater | Mary Lechter | TEDxGeorgeMasonU

2,602 views · Published 19 September 2014 · 13:11 · Indexed 21 October 2026

Channel: TEDx Talks · 2014 · Nonprofits & Activism

Watch on YouTube

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Founder of the non-profit: Acting For Young People (AFYP) in Fairfax VA, Mary Lechter, shares her experiences teaching theater skills to people of all ages, especially K-12 students. Since starting the program in 1997, Mary has been able to witness the incredible effect that acting based education can have on a child's confidence, creativity, and social growth.

Mary has been working professionally as an actor in the Metropolitan Washington area, Los Angeles, and New York since 1985.
A graduate of University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theater and Speech Communications, she has worked at Washington area theaters including Theater of the First Amendment, Arena Stage, Studio Theatre, and Source Theatre. Television, radio and film credits include ABC’s All My Children, Barry Levinson's Avalon, Diesel Films' Dracula’s Mother, the recent MGM/Lionsgate thriller Hit and Run, and several spots for NPR's Morning Edition.
Mary is Founder and Artistic Director of Acting for Young People & Adults, Inc. (AFYP). Founded in 1997, the program provides professional-level acting training for students of all ages, and has grown to include summer acting camps, year-round classes, after school programs and touring productions.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

More from this channel