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Working backstage thoroughly absorbs you. And, as every activity and experience which challenges you profoundly, it teaches you more in a year than you’d otherwise learn in ten. I treasure all backstage work experience I’ve been privileged to accumulate thus far. Often pushed to my very limits, my growth has been exponential during all those times helping to rock and balance the stage. So, what are the key life lessons gained you might ask?
Too many to name will be my first answer. I have learned from everyone I have worked with backstage. From dancers, acrobats, actors, technicians of all backgrounds. From stage managers to artistic coordinators and directors.
Watching their modus operandi has made me question life and myself on so many levels.
For example, watching the acrobats I worked with on circus shows train and rehearse every day, I learned so much about trust, teamwork, mental balance, focus, and the point of no return. Even here, I could go on and on with an endless list of insights.
Let me try to name just a few overall key learnings…
Theatre is a collaborative art form. No matter how large a production and how departmentalized, it takes every single cast and crew member to pull in the same direction to create and perform a great show.
At the end of the day, no matter what happens in each of our lives, no matter what problems may arise, no matter how crazy and complicated it gets, the show must go on.
It must be the primary focus of everyone, always. It is our common goal.
It’ll be hard to beat anyone who has worked backstage when it comes to multitasking skills.
How many times have I needed to fix a prop, whilst cueing performers, just to solve yet another problem that already arose for the next scene. At the same time, possibly, someone got injured as well and I got called to the scene backstage to quickly check and patch up whomever it was.
All this, of course, whilst staying as Zen as possible to calm down everyone else rather than exacerbate the problem.
In my experience it is precisely calmness which will get it all done. The more you rush, the more you’ll lose the overview, all will descend into chaos.
It’s all about that calmness again, whilst at the same time not ever being afraid to make decisions on the go and taking responsibility.
Not daring to be decisive in a tight spot during the show can potentially be far more dangerous than deciding on a course of action and following through with it without hesitation.
Some decisions may turn out to not have been optimal. Some of them might even turn out to not have been correct. But the show must go on.
It is all about those lightning-quick, self-confident steps towards solving a problem. With a huge emphasis on safety of course (especially in acrobatic shows)!!
Just to get a bit more into this essential trait which, I can guarantee, will develop on an exponential scale with every show, every project you do.
You need to be able to calmly hold your ground. You need to trust your instincts and not get side-tracked by all the many other opinions which will be shared with you – if you want it or not.
At the same time, you also need to include others and listen to their input. Quite often, they will know better than you. It’s a team effort.
It’s a tight-rope act. But self-confidence means just as much believing in yourself as it means to have the self-assuredness and courage to learn from everyone and everything around you. Constantly.
Doing theatre and shows means working in closest proximity with everyone onstage and backstage. Often you live and work in a bubble and hardly have the time to venture out and see other people.
Be kind. Don’t hold grudges. Move on. Try to not take stuff personal. Take long breaths and look at the often inexplicably bizarre goings-on around you with a grain of salt. If in doubt, rather smile and laugh about it (whilst still taking things seriously of course and making sure everyone is always safe!).
Creating and maintaining a positive working environment is a must to survive the many long hours and extreme working conditions together.
Fact is, we cannot achieve greatness without putting in extraordinary amounts of work and energy. And this will take its toll. Thus, we need to be kind to ourselves as well and strive to find a healthy balance.
No matter how hard working backstage is at times, it is – at least in my book, without a doubt – one of the greatest, most satisfying experiences.
I am a better person for it. More rounded. Far more mature. And just a tiny bit wiser.
Here is to everyone I’ve ever worked with backstage and onstage, through all the good and the worst. I’m glad to have worked with you all on some unforgettable, magical shows. Thank you for all you have taught me.
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Liam Klenk was born in Central Europe and has since lived on four continents. Liam has always been engaged in creative pursuits, ranging from photography and graphic design, to writing short stories and poetry, to working in theatre and shows. In 2016, Liam published his first book and memoir, 'Paralian'.
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