When professional child actor Suki Hillier landed the title role in “Matilda The Musical,” she thought she would have to learn how to become someone else. Instead, she realized she had known the role since she was three, when she playfully tried to move objects with her mind the way Matilda does. In this joyful talk, she reveals the similarities between the stage and life — because imagination isn’t about escaping the world. It’s a way of building one. (Recorded at Play@TED on May 14, 2026)
Join us in person at a TED conference:
Become a TED Member to support our mission:
Subscribe to a TED newsletter:
Follow TED!
Instagram:
LinkedIn:
TikTok:
Facebook:
X:
The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world’s leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less) — plus originals, podcasts and exclusive content. Look for videos on Technology, Entertainment and Design as well as science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Visit for our entire library, transcripts, translations and personalized recommendations.
Watch more:
TED videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with the TED Talks Usage Policy: . For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), submit a request at
#TED #TEDTalks #Theater
@Eathercommercial
August 18, 2026 at 11:31 am
❤️
@Abyglow
August 18, 2026 at 11:34 am
Firstt🎉
@Mali_abhay
August 18, 2026 at 11:35 am
Imagination life is your creation 💕
@venator3301
August 18, 2026 at 11:38 am
The world doesn’t change – people do
@storieswithanita1
August 18, 2026 at 11:40 am
Thank you
@everythingishere3874
August 18, 2026 at 11:47 am
I want to be a football coach in europe and i know I can do even I come from Nepal and one day I will return here and be football coach
@Boomerangbone
August 18, 2026 at 2:08 pm
Just here to check in and make sure everyone knows Ted platformed the mother of the Columbine shooter who gave a remarkably disgusting talk denying any bit of responsibility. Rest In Peace to the victims. Shame on this youtube channel for locking comments on that video, let alone having the audacity to publish it or even think having her speak is a reasonable thing to do.
@David-bl5ug
August 18, 2026 at 8:18 pm
She’s not the one who killed those kids. Her son was.
@Onionbaron
August 18, 2026 at 2:20 pm
Books enhance your own imagination, visual media the opposite, and just tapping in on someone else imagination, and that is the fastest way to lose your own!
@xThunderOUx
August 18, 2026 at 3:31 pm
Hermoine Granger?
@savageoldman
August 18, 2026 at 3:43 pm
If this is not ai, I’m shocked.
@Jasonxbr
August 18, 2026 at 4:42 pm
Stay as a child please- being a adult isn’t great- your innocence- the power of imagination- free will- is bestow in your inner heart ♥️ ❤️ 💓 💖 💔 💛 ♥️ ❤️ 💓 💖 💔
@ParkourChildhood
August 18, 2026 at 6:28 pm
This was a hard watch and felt forced, mum doing way to much.
@drumbum3.142
August 18, 2026 at 7:04 pm
– There are Times when Fiction possesses Snapshots, Nuances, Scripts, Screengrabs, Lessons, and Details that are more Precious than what one finds in Non-fiction. 🎭
@gariyas
August 18, 2026 at 8:08 pm
Only the ancients are capable of true image, imago, and imagination (of the universe).
The creative power of the mind pertaining to the imagination is the exclusive property of the ancients. – Giacomo Leopardi