“Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats, the performance is about to begin.” The house lights dim, the crowd quiets, and the actors take their places. The curtain rises, the stage is brightly lit. The show starts.
The backstage announcement signaling the start of a theatrical production, familiar to regular theatergoers, might seem worlds away from the corporate boardroom. But skills honed under the spotlight — not to mention behind the scenes — are a practical and powerful asset in the high-stakes business arena.
“There are a lot of disciplines involved in theater,” says AMSG’s Jeffrey Dewhurst, a Writer/Editor for the Communications and Outreach Division in the Science and Technology Directorate at the Department of Homeland Security. “Most people do more than one thing. Sometimes they act, sometimes they stage manage, sometimes they direct, sometimes they produce, and they all have applications in the business world.”
Jeffrey has a theater degree, and has been a producer, director, stage manager, actor, and, at one point, ran a small theater in New York City. “As a director, you need to be organized and nurture collaboration,” he says. “As a producer, it’s all about project management. You have a budget and an opening night. It all has to get done, and there is no slipping the delivery date. You have to bring everything together, on time.”
The familiar adage of “the show must go on”, despite any and all obstacles, is an imperative internalized by performers. Just like in the business world things go wrong. For those in front of and behind the curtain, the only question is: How will we react to the setbacks and raise the curtain on time?
Adapt, Improvise … and Don’t Freak
Theatrically speaking, actors can forget lines, cues can be missed, stage props be misplaced or missing and, sometimes, power failures can leave everyone literally in the dark. Quick thinking and the ability to improvise make the difference and allow the team to power through.
Likewise, in business, contracts can be lost, budgets cut, positions and jobs eliminated. How will the corporate show go on? Those who have been there theatrically have not just insights, but the experience to turn a seeming disaster into surefire hit. Adaptability and flexibility are key.
AMSG Marketing Director Chrissie Constable, who has a degree in technical theater and who subsequently worked in that field for ten years, was a production manager at a Massachusetts regional theater. There, Chrissie says she learned one crucial lesson when confronting a crisis: don’t freak.
“Theater taught me how to stay calm,” Chrissie recalls. “When things go crazy, it’s a waste of energy to freak out. My background has made me more comfortable in dealing with whatever comes next.”
Strive and Thrive
As the business world continues to transform, those with a theater background may find themselves uniquely equipped to thrive. The ability to communicate effectively, think creatively, collaborate seamlessly, and manage time efficiently remains in demand.
“In my current position, time management is one of the biggest requirements,” says Caleigh All, an AMSG junior proposal manager. She’s been performing in choirs since middle school. “For anyone who performs, getting to rehearsal on time and preparing is what it’s all about. My thing is, if you’re not early you’re late. I get that from performing.”
Zach Taylor, an AMSG project controls analyst and the company’s Global Team coordinator, would agree. Also a veteran chorister and a semi-retired rock band member, Zach says he’s “definitely better with meetings.” He’s put his performance skills to the test, most notably in a recant AMSG trek to Kenya, where Zach played a basic guitar with a pick fashioned from a pill bottle and a drum made from goatskin.
In the realm of business such experience instills resilience and perseverance. The pressure of live performance cultivates a strong work ethic and the ability to bounce back from setbacks.
“The curtain goes up at 8:00 regardless,” Chrissie says. “It teaches time management and agility. People are waiting for you. That translates into the business world.”
Written by: Jim Schultz
Jim is a Technical Editor/Writer with AMSG, working for the U.S. Army’s Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC)