Much changed for Roundabout staff members during the COVID-19 pandemic, from navigating remote work to returning to live performances. We spoke with three staff members about what they learned from this unusual moment in theatre history.
Over the past 18 months, what changed for the better about how you do your job?
ABBY LANGSTED, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, DIGITAL: A real silver lining of working remotely for the past 18 months is how intentional and thoughtful my communication with my coworkers has become! As a team, we became so aware not only of how we collaborate on work tasks, but also how we support each other and meet each others' needs for interaction and dialogue.
ALEX RABY, WEB DEVELOPER/PROJECT MANAGER, IT: Thankfully, working remotely on a website is very doable, but the merging of work and home spaces means a lot of mental and physical boundary-setting, which has also helped me delineate my sphere of focus at work! Also, there's been lots of creative thinking and fun coding projects we wouldn't have normally taken on due limitations in our timeline and budget.
ALEX MCKHANN, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS: Though our theatres were dark, the last 18 months have provided Roundabout the ability to enhance our digital presence and connect with audiences regardless of geographic location. I had the ability to give our donors unprecedented access to our work, through programs like Roundabout Remote and The Refocus Project, and learn brand new skills around how to connect with our patrons through projects like the livestream of our Gala from Central Park.
What did you learn or discover that you'll continue to do as we return to in-person work?
AL: Through engaging in meaningful dialogue about our EDIAR [Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism] initiative, I learned how vulnerable and trusting I can be with my team about difficult topics. It is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day workflow, and it was moving and inspiring to be reminded that we can also grapple with problems outside of our daily tasks together.
AR: I've learned to communicate more clearly and directly and get to the bottom line faster on many of our projects. It's also been easier to chat with other departments and share ideas/learn from each other, which I'll definitely continue!
AM: Roundabout's resiliency through the shutdown proved something we've long known: our donors, audiences, artists, and staff are the best in the business. I look forward to seeing how technology can help us connect audiences from around the world and to offer those in our theatres the ability to connect with our shows and programs on a whole new level. Everyone has shown that the show can go on from wherever you are, and I hope we can continue to explore new ways in which digital engagement and new technology can grow our work and what's possible through the magic of theatre.