I came across this article in The New York Times this weekend that immediately made me smile. I’ve been touting the importance of theater training for the business world longer than I’ve been a contributor to the business world! And to be a Davos fellow, or even just a fly on the wall, during their time on Columbia University’s campus this past week learning from theater greats like Kristin Linklater (who’s work I studied in great detail my freshman year of college) would be a dream come true.
Daniel Pink (in his book A Whole New Mind) and others have brought bits and pieces of this concept to public attention, such as using theater training or other humanities training to help business leaders, doctors and managers better understand the concept of empathy and put it into practice. But, this five-day program at Columbia is a prime example of the types of programs I hope to see offered more regularly in business schools and adult training programs across the country. The business community needs to finally recognize that some of those crazy theater kids out there might actually grow into some of the best CEOs and CMOs we have yet to read about in the trade mags of the world.
So what’s the big fuss all about? Well, for starters, let’s take a look at the basics. Theater training involves a lot of refinement of the physicality of the body and voice. This involves freeing the body to move more fluidly and centering movement in emotion. A bit of mumbo jumbo there, but what it really means, is that theater training teaches someone to move from a genuine place, move with honest intentions and move with poise and focus. The same training is applied to the voice. An actor learns to be very expressive with the voice, using it in a direct and focused manner to communicate a story with authenticity and greater meaning.
And then there’s the mental. Theater opens the mind up to experiencing all of the world to its fullest. Theater training teaches intuition, increases awareness and fosters creativity. Actors are taught from day one to explore all possible scenarios when approaching a scene. They are taught that experimentation and practice is key to achieving the greatest possible results. Actors are not afraid to use the art of play to discover a deeper meaning to their work. These are all incredibly valuable tools in the workplace!
I’m proud to say that I can speak to all of this from experience. My college education came in the form of theater training. Since then, I’ve worked with clients in a variety of industries to find creative ways to share their stories, and as a result, build a deeper relationship with their customers. I’ve stood in front of classrooms and taught businesses complex ideas and led meaningful discussions engaging my entire body, mind and voice in the experience. My theater training has served me well. Now it’s time for more folks to get in on the secret.