1. I don't honestly believe that there is a next step for theatre (alone) to take in creating more empathy in our world. It falls more on the audience, each individual. Each person will have their own reaction to what they view, but only those open will have a strong enough change evoked in them to do something about what they've seen. Theatre unfortunately cannot touch everyone the way we would like it to. It can show change being initiated and age old issues being addressed and dealt with, but it cannot actually make those changes occur in real life. That job falls on the people. I do believe though that invisible theatre can touch a wider range of people. Actually seeing something (like an injustice happening/being conquered) and thinking that what is happening is real sparks more of an immediate response. Since it appears to be real life, a view/an opinion on the issue at hand will be more instantaneous. I guess if theatre could do anything it would be to find a way to reach more people than typical theatre goers with these issues.
2. In the face of all the world's issues, it's not that theatre stops being the answer, but it can't be the only answer. There must be more ways to tactfully approach a problem. It is best to be able to come at a problem from multiple directions; in my opinion, this assures the most chance for success (as long as each approach is followed through with full-heartedly). However, theatre is a necessary medium to express what is happening. Other art forms can express what is going on in the world; I think theatre can touch more people though because of the live experience of it. It is the connection to another person that makes it a stronger medium as opposed to a connection with an inanimate object or words on a page.
