Daniel Radcliffe Stars in 'Every Brilliant Thing' with Audience Participation

The play invites audience members to take the stage and read from a list of life's joys, bringing the show's themes of connection and community to life.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:49am

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An extreme close-up photograph of shimmering, reflective sequins or shattered glass, capturing the glitz and energy of live theater through an abstract, high-contrast composition focused on texture and light.The audience participation in 'Every Brilliant Thing' transforms the theater into a vibrant, communal space where the play's themes of connection and compassion come alive.NYC Today

Daniel Radcliffe is starring in the play 'Every Brilliant Thing,' which features audience participation throughout the performance. Dozens of attendees are selected to read aloud from a list of 'brilliant things' that the protagonist compiles to give his suicidal mother reasons to live. A handful of audience members are also chosen to appear on stage, playing various roles in the protagonist's life. The process of selecting and preparing these volunteers is carefully managed by Radcliffe and the show's associate directors to ensure a positive experience for both the actors and the audience.

Why it matters

The audience participation in 'Every Brilliant Thing' is central to the play's themes of connection, community, and reaching out for help. By having unrehearsed audience members take the stage, the show demonstrates the bravery and compassion of regular people, bringing the ideas of the script to life in a powerful way.

The details

Before each performance, Radcliffe and two associate directors, David Hull and Laura Dupper, interact with nearly every audience member as they take their seats. This allows them to distribute cards with 'brilliant things' to be read aloud, as well as identify audience members to play specific onstage roles like a father, love interest, or school counselor. The team looks for people with the right energy - extroverted but not too eager, willing but not overwhelming. Audience members who seem too polished or are wearing 'Harry Potter' merchandise are typically avoided, as the creators want the participation to feel genuine. Once selected, volunteers receive cues and support from Radcliffe to help them feel comfortable on stage.

  • The show first debuted in 2013 and has since been translated into 66 languages and had hundreds of productions in the United States alone.
  • The audience participation process begins about a half-hour before each performance.

The players

Daniel Radcliffe

The lead actor in 'Every Brilliant Thing,' known for his role as Harry Potter in the popular film franchise.

David Hull

An associate director for 'Every Brilliant Thing' and a longtime friend of Radcliffe's.

Laura Dupper

An associate director for 'Every Brilliant Thing' who works with Radcliffe and Hull to select and prepare audience volunteers.

Cori Robinson

An actress and legal professional who was selected to play the role of the school counselor in one performance of 'Every Brilliant Thing.'

Andrew Gilliland

A financial services professional who was selected to play the role of the love interest in one performance of 'Every Brilliant Thing.'

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What they’re saying

“It was exhilarating. I mean, how often do you get to do that?”

— Elie Landau, Broadway general manager

“It's not a fulfillment of a showbiz dream. It's about how are we going to tell the story.”

— Jeremy Herrin, Director

“Sometimes people come into the theater and they see me and there's an initial moment of, 'Oh, my God.' By the time they have seen me running around like a mad person, sweating and looking probably quite stressed at times, that does a lot to make people forget.”

— Daniel Radcliffe

“I'm very protective of Dan, so I'm sussing out vibes and looking for people that are not going to derail his night. I'm looking for energies that feel kind and open and a little playful, but not steamrollery.”

— David Hull, Associate Director

“It's more special if it's someone who's genuinely a little nervous to be up there.”

— Laura Dupper, Associate Director

The takeaway

The audience participation in 'Every Brilliant Thing' brings the play's themes of connection, community, and reaching out for help to life in a powerful way. By having unrehearsed audience members take the stage, the show demonstrates the bravery and compassion of regular people, creating a uniquely immersive and meaningful theatrical experience.