Theatre aisles and corporate power corridors might seem worlds apart, but on Friday evening, the crowd at Starmark in Express Avenue learnt how the two could collide.
The re-launch of All The World Is A Stage by T.T. Srinath was marked by vibrant discussion and demonstration on how theatre techniques can help resolve conflict, foster good relationships and create an amenable work environment. Well-known city-based theatre personalities Chetan Shah and T.M. Karthik were in conversation with the author.
Starting with how drama is relevant in day-to-day life, Shah said, “Drama is a compression of life, so, of course, it will be relevant to corporate life.” Karthik added, “The purest form of human behaviour and communication is on stage. There is no ego; it is the unadulterated form, but with an interesting story. In real life, the stories might not be as interesting, but you can learn a lot if you break the barrier.” Fusing theatre and the corporate world is an abstract concept, but it has been done in a relatable and structured form in the book, he said.
Srinath explained how every human plays various roles — friend, sister, son and so on — and has to be aware of the fact. “If you know this, you are mindful of what role you are fulfilling. You can play various roles to the same person as well,” he said.
Other topics discussed were how to identify subtext (figure out what a person is actually trying to say without actually mentioning it), and intentionality (how to say things with tact, diplomacy, choosing the right words and give them what they are looking for). Srinath spoke about how conversations are like icebergs, and the true meaning is usually buried. These techniques can be used to change our perception and alter our assumptions.
As Karthik summed up, “These are psycho-drama techniques that can be taught, and, therefore, learned, and be put to use in daily life.”
