Rakin Hall, M.Ed.’s Post

How do you nurture the next generation of performance talent on their path to Broadway? 🌟 Preparing actors for the challenges they are sure to face in their pursuit of success in the performing arts is a complicated process - but with OTS’s tips for empowering young performers, it will be a little easier. Learn the ins and outs of: • Setting performers on the right path • Supporting personal growth • Expanding horizons beyond the stage • Season planning with purpose • And much, much more! Whether you’re a mentor, parent, or teacher, our resource will equip you with the tools necessary to cultivate the talent and commitment that Broadway is looking for. Ready to get started? Download today>> https://bit.ly/3ZqlcEI

I had no idea my childhood Theater training would teach me #leadership lessons. Yet so many acting lessons translated to my professional career: - The play is bigger than you. Your role is to play the role. - Theater is a team event. It doesn’t matter how talented you are, if you don’t practice with the rest of the actors the play will be a disaster. You must know both your lines and the other players’ lines. - Act on cue. Don’t delay. - Stay in #character at all times. What you’re doing when not delivering your lines is equally, if not more, important than the words you’ll say when it’s time to deliver your lines. - Keep quiet backstage. Even the slightest noise will distract the play, and your disruption could be the only thing the audience remembers after the play is over. - All eyes are on you when you’re onstage. Don’t turn your back to the audience. The easiest way to lose connection with the people in the seats is to not look at them. Leadership may not be a #drama show, but each of us plays an important role in the play being written in your department, with your teams, among your organization. Play your part. Play it well. Act on cue. Don’t delay. (Picture circa 1981, while I attended the Ofelia D’Acosta Theater School)

A new post on a story that never gets old… 🎻 **When Talent Goes Unnoticed: The Joshua Bell Story** 🎻 Did you know that world-renowned violinist Joshua Bell once performed incognito in a New York City subway station, and hardly anyone noticed him? Just days earlier, he had played to a sold-out theater where patrons paid hundreds of dollars to hear him. This striking contrast highlights a crucial lesson: Environment Matters. Many of us, like Joshua Bell in the subway, find ourselves in places where our talents, hard work, and dedication go unrecognized. We give our all, yet the appreciation and rewards don't seem to follow. The key takeaway? Know your worth and go where you are valued. When you arm yourself with value and confidence, and remove yourself from an environment that isn't serving you, you begin to thrive and grow. Surround yourself with those who recognize and appreciate your contributions. It’s in these environments that you can truly shine. Don't settle for less. Go where you are appreciated, valued, and can make the impact you are destined to achieve. #KnowYourWorth #ValueYourself #GoWhereYouAreAppreciated #JoshuaBell #Motivation #Inspiration

As a leader, even when you are working with people who are self- motivated , make sure that the vision is clear and inclusive. It's possible for even the most self-motivated employee to become dispassionate simply because there is no clear direction and they do not see themselves in the vision. Cast the vision, make it plain, ensure that people are able to see themselves and the role they will play in the vision. #Musings #Randomthoughts

Reflecting on my time in theater, I've distilled countless hours of rehearsals, performances, and character studies into three pivotal lessons that continue to shape my professional and personal life. Here's what the theater taught me: 1. Presence Is Paramount: On stage, every moment demands your full attention—whether you're in the spotlight or waiting in the wings. This heightened state of awareness translates seamlessly into the business world, where being fully present can mean the difference between a missed opportunity and a breakthrough. 2. Embrace Every Role: Just as an actor immerses themselves into their character, in the professional realm, we too must dive wholeheartedly into our roles—be it as a leader, a team member, or a collaborator. It's about committing to the part you play with authenticity and dedication. 3. Rehearsal Leads to Mastery: In theater, repetition and practice are non-negotiable. They're the foundation upon which performances are built. Similarly, in our careers and lives, continuous learning and practicing of our skills lead to competence and confidence. Theater was more than an act; it was a rehearsal for life, teaching me lessons that extended far beyond the stage. Now, I'd love to hear from you: What experience has significantly shaped your life and the way you approach your work and relationships? Share your stories below. Let's learn from each other's stages of life. #TheaterLessons #ProfessionalGrowth #LifeSkills #ShareYourStory

This week Jonathan Groff’s Tony award acceptance speech moved me in many ways, particularly on the career front. I assumed (incorrectly) that Groff already had a Tony award to his name given his past roles, performances, and accolades. And I did not realize that we were the same age. That struck me most as I look for inspiration from others who achieve success and/or influence outside of the “wonderkid” success trope. These stories are important for those of us with career paths that include set backs, missteps, and disappointment. We need to share more of these stories for well-rounded representation of career trajectories and timelines. Groff helped me to remember valuable lessons learned through my journey: ·        Grind. Commit to putting in good work each day no matter how far out the goal may seem. ·        Grit. Hustle, passion, and perseverance are necessary to reach long-term goals. ·        Support. Surround yourself with people who are there in the good times and the bad times. ·        Acknowledgement and Appreciation. Let those people know how much they mean to you and how their presence in your life influenced you along the way. ·        Authenticity. Follow your passions while being your true self. Especially when it is hard. ·        Longevity. Keep setting new goals; never stop trying to improve and give back. Here’s Groff’s speech: https://lnkd.in/eEcD5bmv

About 15 years ago, a student from my “Acting for Film” class arrived early because he wanted to thank me. He said, “I need to thank you. I got a promotion at work and it’s because of this class.” He continued, “I’ve been taking what you teach in class about how to be in my body, how to listen, strategic pauses when I speak, and they noticed. I’ve been vying for a promotion for years. But the leadership team called me this week and said there is something different about me. I accepted the role. Thank you.” There are likely more than two lessons from this story, but I take two. 1. Often we think we need to do deep searching and hard work to figure out our careers. Honestly, many times if you consistently do the work you love well, people will make their own connections and gift you insights about where you could move next. Before him, I thought I’d teach at the professional theatre my whole life. I hadn’t connected it to helping leaders show up better. 2. Integration. I taught a lot of theatre & film classes (a decade worth) before I taught applied theatre for leaders. Not many others took what they learned in the class & applied the tools and practices into the rest of their life or work. They kept them separate. Learning is fun and good, integration changes you and your work, and is often where the magic happens. #careerstories #appliedtheatre #leadershipdevelopment #leadership

Saw Matthew McConaughey's 2014 Oscar speech again today & as usual, it made me pause, recalibrate & reflect on the start of 2024. Am I focused on the right things & are they the essential things each day? 1 - Something to look up to = Gratitude 2 - Something to look forward to = My Girls (Family and Deep Friendships) 3 - Someone to chase - your hero = Be Better than Before Every day, every month and every year - stay authentic, keep growing & keep chasing. "Alright, alright, alright". Any additions? #bethechangeyouwanttoseeintheworld #growthmindset #transformation #beauthentic

I may never take the stage again for a theater production, but I love supporting those who do- from high school to broadway! Our small town is known for showing up for sports—rain, shine, or snow, folks are out there rooting for our student athletes. It was great to see how many show up for the arts too! If you follow this page, you know how much I value sports for building leaders. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to be on a team to learn the strength of teamwork or the value of leadership. For developing the agility to adapt in the moment, few things compare to live theater. Today, the students faced mic issues, but you’d never know it. Without missing a beat, they raised their voices and trusted their tech crew to handle the rest. They stayed grounded in what they could control and delivered a fantastic performance. While my acting days may be behind me, my theatre major has proven it’s worth every time I step on stage as a speaker. Just recently, right before a talk, the microphone decided it was done working. All of those hours practicing projecting to the back row of the theatre gave me the confidence to carry on, knowing that while mics are nice, they’re not always essential. Most who do sports or theater in high school won’t continue professionally. But the skills they pick up along the way? Those can last a lifetime. #theatrelove #musicaltheatre #highschooltheatre #agility #leadershipinaction #leadershipmatters #theatrelife #stoicism #leadershipdevelopment #supportthearts #percyjacksonandthelightningthief

ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT Did you know that Matthew McConaughey was a keynote speaker at the Association for Talent Development (ATD) national conference last month in New Orleans? For McConaughey, his famous phrase represents a positive outlook:  “‘Alright, alright, alright’ is basically three affirmations of the three things that character that I was playing had in that scene,” he said. “I think optimism is survival. And that’s a part of that affirmation even if you’re not getting what you want; it’s about belief.” To read more, see link in comments! #learninganddevelopment #professionaldevelopment