How Theatre Can Help Us Succeed at Work
Plus, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed!
Welcome to The Scene, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed.
In this week's email, we discuss how the lessons that Theatre teaches can also bring success to the workplace. Plus, we catch you up on the most important theatre news and stories from the past week.
So, raise the curtain, shine the spotlight, and let's dive into another thrilling week in the world of theatre. Welcome to The Scene.
Huey Lewis Lost His Hearing. That Didn’t Stop Him From Making A Musical by Dave Itzkoff, The New York Times | The Heart of Rock and Roll, a Broadway show built around the songs of Huey Lewis and the News, has given the singer a reason to “get out of bed.” Read...
In Ingrid Michaelson and Bekah Brunstetter’s hands, The Notebook Isn’t Just About A Memory — It Becomes One by Ruthie Fierberg, Broadway News | The composer-lyricist and book writer of the new Broadway musical delve into their vision of the beloved romance. Read...
Meet the Kuperman Brothers, the Sibling Duo Behind the Choreography for Broadway’s The Outsiders" by Laura De Silva, Dance Magazine | Known for their witty and athletic movement style, Canadian brothers Rick and Jeff Kuperman trained as competition dancers and martial artists before launching their careers with downtown New York City shows. Read...
There’s a Bright Spot in New York Theater. It’s Not Where You Think by Michael Paulson, The New York Times | Commercial Off Broadway, a long-dormant sector of the city’s theater economy, is having a banner season. But can it last? Read...
The Courage to Produce: A Conversation on High School Censorship by Allison Considine, Jessica Lit, Jordan Stovall, Nadine Smith, American Theatre Magazine | A dialogue on how students, teachers, and parents can push back against a wave of conservative legislation and intimidation that threatens to chill theatrical expression. Read...
Nonprofit Theaters Are in Trouble. Lawmakers Are Proposing Help by Michael Paulson, The New York Times | Proposed legislation would allocate $1 billion annually for an industry coping with rising expenses and smaller audiences. Read...
The American Theater Has Gone Through This Kind of Mammoth Industry Shift Before by Ruthie Fierberg, Broadway News | Read this excerpt from Zelda Fichandler’s newly released collection of essays, which outlines another time in history when the theatrical economic model, audience makeup, and more came into question. Read
What the Loss of TikTok Would Mean for Broadway by Phillip Hughes, Broadway News | Phillip Hughes, group content director at Situation, addresses the potential TikTok ban and how Broadway should be using the social media app. Read...
The Big Idea
How Theatre Can Help Us Succeed at Work
By Zach Dulli, The Scene
Ever thought your day job could probably benefit from a dash of Broadway magic? It’s not as far-fetched as it sounds. Theatre isn't just an art form; it's a masterclass in life skills that spill over into our professional lives. The cast and crew of a production, a mosaic of personalities, talents, and idiosyncrasies, provides a unique lens through which anyone working in any profession can glean valuable insights. Here’s how theatre can supercharge your professional skills and transform your work environment into a stage for success.
The Ensemble as a Model for Teamwork: The cast of a theatre production is the epitome of teamwork. Each member, regardless of the size of their role, is crucial to the narrative’s success. This mirrors the workplace, where projects often require a blend of skills and contributions from various professionals. The key takeaway here is the importance of recognizing and valuing each individual's contribution. Acknowledging the contributions of all team members, including those in supporting roles, enhances a sense of value and belonging, fostering a more collaborative and productive environment.
Improvisation and Adaptability: Theatre is an exercise in controlled chaos. Productions are dynamic, requiring cast and crew members to quickly adapt to changes—whether it's a last-minute script change, a missing prop, or an unexpected cue. Watching a cast and crew navigate these moments with grace and speed is a masterclass in improvisation and adaptability. Adaptability is invaluable in the professional world, where change is often the only constant. Learning to pivot with grace and maintain performance under pressure is a skill honed on the stage but equally applicable in the workplace. Here, theatre teaches us the importance of being flexible and innovative in problem-solving, which often leads to creative solutions that would not have been considered in a different environment.
The Art of Feedback: In theatre, feedback is continuous—from directors, designers, and even the audience. Constructive criticism is an essential part of the process, offering insights that refine performances. Similarly, in professional settings, constructive feedback is vital for improvement and innovation. It's about cultivating a culture where feedback is welcomed and acted upon, recognizing that growth is a collective endeavor propelled by open dialogue and mutual support. This culture of open, constructive feedback is something that can greatly benefit any team or organization. Learning to give and receive feedback graciously is a skill that enhances not only our professional lives but our personal relationships as well.
Empathy and Teamwork: At its core, theatre is an exploration of the human condition. Actors delve into their characters' psyches, embodying their emotions, motivations, and conflicts. This process fosters a deep sense of empathy, an understanding that to authentically portray a character, one must see the world through their eyes. For working professionals, this underscores the importance of empathy when working as part of a team. The ability to understand and respect the perspectives and feelings of others can lead to more harmonious and efficient team dynamics. It encourages a workplace where diversity of thought is valued and conflict is resolved more through understanding and compromise than through competition and dominance.
Leadership and Direction: A theatrical production is a lesson in leadership, particularly in how a director's guidance can unify a diverse group of individuals toward a common vision. This parallels the role of leaders in any professional setting, who must inspire, guide, and sometimes mediate to achieve the team's objectives. The director’s ability to manage egos, motivate, and bring out the best in their cast and crew is directly translatable to leadership in any context. It underscores the importance of clear communication, vision, and the ability to inspire and rally a team toward a common goal.
Commitment and Discipline: A theatrical production is a testament to commitment and discipline. From memorizing lines to perfecting movements, a show’s cast invests time and effort, often balancing their passion with other life responsibilities. This dedication is a powerful reminder of the discipline required to see projects through in any field. It speaks to setting priorities, managing time, and the relentless pursuit of excellence, traits that are as crucial on stage as they are in any team project or enterprise.
Listening and Responding: Dialogue on stage is more than a mere exchange of words; it's about listening, reacting, and building upon what your scene partners give you. This active engagement is essential not only to propel the narrative but also to elevate the performance. The parallel in professional interactions, especially in collaborative settings, cannot be overstated. Effective communication hinges on our ability to truly listen and thoughtfully respond, creating a dynamic exchange of ideas that enhances collective output and understanding.
The Magic of Collaboration: Perhaps the most magical aspect of theatre is the collaboration it necessitates. When a cast and crew come together, pooling their talents, supporting each other, and creating something greater than the sum of its parts, it's a beautiful sight. This level of collaboration requires not only mutual respect and trust but also a shared commitment to the end goal. In the professional world, fostering this sense of unity and shared purpose can lead to remarkable achievements. It shows us the power of combining diverse talents and perspectives towards a common objective.
In reflecting on these lessons, it becomes evident that the world of theatre offers rich insights into collaboration, communication, and the nuances of human interaction. The cast and crew of a show, in its endeavor to bring a story to life, embodies principles that transcend the stage, offering valuable lessons for professionals in any field. By embracing these insights, we can foster environments that not only promote success but celebrate the individual contributions, creativity, and connections that make such achievements possible.
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Rob Madge’s Regards to Broadway to be Staged in the West End by Tom Millward, WhatsOnStage | Madge will address their postponed Broadway debut in a new show. Read...
Director of Tom Holland-Led Romeo & Juliet Responds to “Deplorable Racial Abuse” of Castmember by Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter | Director Jamie Lloyd shared a statement condemning the harassment of an unnamed castmember following the production's full cast announcement. Read...
Jeanna de Waal joins the cast of Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story by Tom Millward, WhatsOnStage | The Diana: The Musical alum is set to make a special virtual appearance. Read...
Kinky Boots returns with a new production starring Johannes Radebe by Matthew Hemley, The Stage | Strictly Come Dancing star Johannes Radebe is to play Lola in a new production of the musical. Read...
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding Will Launch National Tour by Michael Abourizk, Broadway News | The new Jocelyn Bioh play will offer engagements in Berkeley, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. Read...
World Premiere Musical Little Miss Perfect, Frozen, Waitress, More in 2024-2025 Olney Theatre Season by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | Awa Sal Secka and Alex De Bard will play Elsa and Anna in the new staging of the Disney musical Frozen. Read...
Isaac Powell, Charlotte MacInnes, Ben Levi Ross to Lead World Premiere Gatsby Musical at American Repertory Theater by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | The new musical features a score by Florence + The Machine's Florence Welch and Thomas Bartlett. Read...
Virginia Repertory Theatre Announces Its Line-Up For 2024-2025 Season by Kendal McAuley, WIRC TV | The Virginia Repertory Theatre has shared its new line-up of exciting shows at all three of its locations. Read...
Free Read of the Week
You can read entire plays for free! Free Reads titles are perfect for your theatre, school, and competition performances. Click on the Play’s title, the image below, or the button below to be taken to the Play’s page; once you are there, click the "READ NOW" button and enjoy!
Making God Laugh by Sean Grennan
The Story: Making God Laugh follows one typical American family over the course of thirty years' worth of holidays. Starting in 1980, Ruthie and Bill's grown children -- a priest, an aspiring actress, and a former football star -- all return home, where we learn of their plans and dreams as they embark on their adult lives. The empty-nester parents contend with their own changes, too, as old family rituals are trotted out and ancient tensions flare up. As time passes, the family discovers that, despite what we may have in mind, we often arrive at unexpected destinations.
Comedy/Drama | 120 - 130 minutes | 2 W, 3 M, (5-20 actors possible: 2-8 W, 3-12 M) | Content Notes: Mild adult language | Set: A living room.