“THEATRE HAS THE POWER TO MOVE, INSPIRE, TRANSFORM AND EDUCATE IN WAYS THAT NO OTHER ART FORM CAN.
THEATRE REFLECTS BOTH THE EXTRAORDINARY DIVERSITY OF CULTURES AND OUR SHARED HUMAN CONDITION, IN ALL ITS VULNERABILITY AND STRENGTH.”

Irina Bokova

Picture yourself standing in the dimmed lights of a theatre. The wooden stage beneath your feet hums with the echoes of countless performers who have stood on that very spot before you. The audience sits, holding their breath in anticipation of what’s to come. This is theatre, a realm of creativity, expression, and innovation, a world that holds more power than one might initially perceive.

But let me not get ahead of myself. Hello there! As a professional who has worked in the theatrical world and made a career in the corporate sector, I’m here to make a case for the transferable potential of theatre skills in a wide range of careers. From the stage to corporate life, from the design studio to the tech startup, the skills nurtured by involvement in theatre have far-reaching impacts, going way beyond what the audience witnesses from their red velvet seats.

When I say theatre, what’s the first thing that pops into your head? Shakespearean soliloquies? Exuberant musical numbers? Or maybe the magnificent puppetry of The Lion King? All valid. But theatre is so much more than just dramatic monologues or gravity-defying dance routines. At its heart, theatre is about communication, storytelling, creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and understanding the human psyche – skills that are as crucial in any work environment as they are on stage.

Communication is at the core of theatre. From the eloquent language of Shakespeare to the silent storytelling of mime, every aspect of theatre is rooted in expressing ideas and emotions effectively. If you’ve ever had to deliver a presentation to a roomful of executives or negotiate a difficult business deal, you know the value of clear, confident communication.

Creativity and innovation, the linchpins of theatrical performances, have immense value in professional fields too. Whether you’re a tech entrepreneur designing the next big app or a marketer brainstorming an ad campaign, innovative thinking is your secret weapon. In theatre, you learn how to think outside the box, to take risks and break boundaries – remember that avant-garde production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” set in space with zombies?

Theatre also fosters problem-solving skills like no other. If you’ve ever been part of a live performance where a prop malfunctions or an actor forgets their lines, you’ll know how it hones your ability to think on your feet. Such experiences might leave you flustered in the moment, but they equip you to tackle unexpected challenges in your professional life with grace and ingenuity.

Moreover, theatre is a lesson in teamwork and leadership. Consider a theatrical production. It’s not just the actors on stage, but a whole ensemble – directors, designers, stage managers, crew members – each playing their part to bring the story to life. This mirrors the dynamics of a successful team in a business setting, where each member contributes their unique skills towards a shared goal.

Another critical aspect of theatre is empathy, an understanding of the humanity. As an actor, you inhabit diverse characters, exploring their emotions, motivations, and vulnerabilities. This understanding of the human psyche is invaluable in any profession that involves interacting with people – from human resources and customer service to sales and leadership roles.

Finally, resilience and adaptability, prepare you for the ebbs and flows of the professional world. From handling critique to bouncing back from setbacks (those rejections at auditions are tough!), theatre equips you with a resilience that sees you through the toughest of times.

These are just some examples of transferable skills you learn by participating in the theatre. Often times I’ve caught myself saying “I JUST have a theatre degree” when speaking about my bachelors degree but I’ve learned to not sell myself short! I now proudly proclaim “I have a THEATRE degree!” because I know I wouldn’t be nearly as successful without these transferable skills and the many more I will write about during this blog series!

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