Join Us for the 2021 Original Thinkers Festival
The Festival is confirmed for September 30 - October 3 in Telluride, along with a virtual component October 1 - 31. Tickets are on sale now.
In Person and Virtual Festival
Original Thinkers is excited to announce a hybrid in person and virtual event format for 2021. The hybrid festival will be held in person at venues around Telluride September 30 through October 3, and available online worldwide, October 1 through October 31. Both the in person and virtual aspects of the event will showcase riveting speakers, brilliant artists, indelible performances, terrific films, unforgettable stories revolving around ten shows and ten “big idea” themes.
“A fundamental premise of what we are doing at Original Thinkers is engaging with new ideas and authentic stories to help us better navigate the complex world we live in. We also strongly believe that worthwhile ideas can come from anyone and should be accessible to everyone,” explains founder David Holbrooke. ''We hope you can join us in person to experience the festival, meet our fabulous speakers, interact with each other, build community, and enjoy Telluride, but if traveling here is not possible we are also thrilled to offer a hybrid festival with virtual programming.”
The in person component of the festival will deliver carefully curated programming in the recently revamped, open air, Telluride Transfer Warehouse and in the historic Sheridan Opera House. Featuring a relaxed, non-overlapping schedule, attendees will have real time and space to reflect on fresh ideas, engage with featured speakers and experience the stunning landscape of Telluride. For 2021, the virtual component of the festival will feature stunning films, inspiring discussions and has been stretched out over a month to let participants take in the ideas at their own pace, from wherever.
Passes
A variety of 2021 festival passes will allow for a range of experiences and are on sale now. The all-encompassing Big Idea Pass ($300) allows attendees to experience all of the shows in person and virtually. This pass is also available in a virtual only option ($100) and new for 2021, in an educator and youth virtual option for a special price ($50). Additionally, a limited amount of Early Bird priced Big Idea Passes are available ($250 in-person, $75 virtual).
For those seeking a more inclusive experience, the Eureka Pass is available ($2500). This all access pass includes all the benefits of the Big Ideas Pass plus reserved seating, the Opening Night Big Ideas dinner with festival speakers, opportunities to participate in river walks and guided hikes with festival guests and artists, fun swag bags, and more. Sales from this pass will support Original Thinkers’ mission of introducing new thinking around the complexities and challenges of our ever changing world.
Lineup Sneak Preview
While the full 2021 lineup of speakers, artists, performances, films, stories will be revealed throughout the summer, festival founder David Holbrooke is happy to offer a preview into the programming.
“To tease a few we will be exploring themes such as How Do We Heal?, Our Story Is Our Purpose, and Into The After with stellar speakers and films featuring radical nuns, a pair of front line health heroes and a pianist/storyteller whose story inspired the fascinating Pixar movie Soul. It has been a helluva year and our thoughtful programming will look to process, contextualize and yes, move forward with what matters. As always, OT will shine a spotlight on a host of fresh voices and visionaries who will take you on a transformative journey to think deeply, see possibility and embrace big ideas. We know society is ready for change, it just takes Original Thinkers, which is why we are so glad you are a part of this community we are building.”
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