For years, we have been
enjoying musicals and dramas at a community theatre in suburban Washington,
DC. As season ticket holders, we
were notified that while they had been highly successful as a community
theatre, their board had decided to take the risk and become a professional
theatre company. Over the next few
months we learned a little about proposed changes including ticket prices going
up (but not by much!) and that they planned to add a bar in the lobby. We
wondered what else might change and would we enjoy the experience.
September 27, 2013 was
Opening Night for the newly named NextStop Theatre Company in Herndon, VA. On the day the performance, I received
an email telling me that on Opening Night, there would be some exciting
additions to the evening including a “red carpet,” photographers, and a
champagne reception following the play. To understand why this was significant you have to picture that this theatre is in an industrial strip mall and in fact, until they changed the name, was called The Industrial Strength Theatre—so a red carpet seemed a bit out of context, but it was there and it was red and standing in the center was a professional photographer who shot photos as we walked in. While it wasn’t quite as exciting as the night I attended the Academy Awards in Los Angeles and was on the red carpet with Oprah, it was still a lot of fun to be part of something that had the potential to change the theatre experience!
The opening night play was
really good—excellent performances from four people who played multiple
parts. It was smart, funny,
and highly professional and afterwards we joined the rest of the audience on
the stage for cake and champagne to celebrate.
I’ve always believed that change is good and this experience really brought it home for me. In our daily lives we face changes
every day and how we approach and process change can make all the difference in
the world. This small theatre
company took a huge risk when they decided to change to a professional theatre
company and everything that entails.
After the performance the new Artistic Director shared that there was a
lot of push back from board members and other contributors; however, after
seeing the success on Saturday, I bet those folks will be taking full credit
for the accomplishment!
Helping our employees get
through change is a big part of leadership. Sometimes, the changes required by business pressures aren’t
ones we would have made, nevertheless we have to get on board and support them
and work to help our employees see the value in the change. And, probably just as important, when
you get to the other side of the change, celebrate where you’ve come from and
where you are now. While you don’t need a red carpet and photographers to do
that, do take the time to express your thanks to the employees who stuck with
you and then move forward!
The NextStop Theatre in Herndon, VA made a major shift in its business model and I believe it will pay off for them. How are you reacting
to changes in your organization and how are you helping your employees manage
those changes? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
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