I had the honor to perform with the noted theatre
personality Danish Hussain. A fine human being.
With me were two
gentlemen, Sattvic and Udit Parasher, who belonged to the performing industry.
My coworkers in corporate parlance.
I was the rookie. The play premiered and received a
standing ovation. My involvement with the theatre forced me to
compare the stage with the workroom, the corporate of which I have
been a part of.
1) Strategy and Concept
Danish saw it all in his mind's eye and shared it with us.
The concept was sold and accepted and rehearsal plans were drawn out keeping
our schedules in mind. The goal was defined. There was nothing hidden. All of
us were partners. The strategy to execute was flawless.
2) Defined roles
The role of each performer is well defined. There is
absolutely no overlap. Each role is an important one for the production to
succeed. The uniqueness is celebrated.
3) Transparency
It’s imperative to be treated fairly and equally for
success. The brickbats and bouquets were
discussed together. No behind the back ranting. There was no narrative or
canard built up to strike a person down or raise him/her up.
4) Bonding
Our meals together were the bonding time. Our performances were never discussed during
this time. Politics, culture and industry and most importantly our lives was
what we would talk about. Empathy developed from this time together.
5) Contingency plans.
The ability to have a Plan B in place. Udit was down with
chicken pox and then Ashima, the production assistant. Nobody flipped.
Reassigning happened, Udit recovered and performed
6) Talent
Talent has to be showcased. It has to be nurtured and
cannot be trusted in the hands of apathetic personnel. Big lesson I learned. A complete contrary to
what I have experienced in the corporate.
Our individual talents were focused on with no sense of insecurity or
sense of upstaging. Because he/she is good is the reason he/she is doing this
was so refreshing.
7) Sycophancy sucks.
You cannot put a good show together if licking boots and
networking is the key. Its good work,
good work, good work and good work alone that gets you the applause.
8) Dissent is healthy
The space to dissent is necessary and has to be
respected. It’s a healthy alternative
and is the child telling the emperor that he is wearing no clothes. Artists can suggest and not fear of being
thrown out.
9) The man in charge is the expert.
Danish who led had a body of work behind him and was
involved. INVOLVED. He held hands,
helped you push your style , gave his inputs, spent extra time with the weak
(me) and most of all was egalitarian.
Supremacy gets you bad results.
11)HR management
Artistes have high energy levels and are generally killed
by mediocrity. Creative lots are more
difficult to manage. It’s a wonder how directors manage to hold all together,
create a team and execute the final product.
12) Credit
All who are even remotely involved with a production gets
credit. Unflinchingly! Which is why
credit after a movie rolls on for a long time.
