What are analogies between theatre and organizations?

Aristotle indicated the following list of the essential elements of theatrical performances:

1.     Plot is a combination of incidents and is the purpose of the theatrical performance; the incidents arouse pity and fear, amusement or irony in spectators.

2.     Character is what makes us ascribe certain moral qualities to the agents (actors). Moral purpose of the character is revealed by what they say or do on stage.

3.     Theme is thought, shown in all the characters say and do in proving or disproving some particular point, or enunciating some universal proposition.

4.     Dialog is the diction, the verbal and non-verbal exchanges among characters. The dialogs express character, plot, and theme.

5.     Rhythm can be fast or slow, repetitive or chaotic, gentle or harsh.

6.     Spectacle it is the stage appearance of the above elements (actor, dialogue, actions, the plot, the incidents of the play). It is to arouse pity and fear, amusement or irony.

Kenneth Burke modified Aristotle’s typology and explored theatrical events by five  concepts:

1.     Act – is a sequence of actions. It takes place in thought or deed.

2.     Scene – the background of the act, the situation in which it occurred, physical, geographic and cultural environment or setting in which the act or action takes place.

3.     Agent - is the role. It specifies the kind of person (agent), who performs the act. It is the role identity played out in terms of the action. Also non-human elements can be agents, e.g. the tornado tore up the town.

4.     Agency – is the way the act has been done. It contains the instruments (means) agents used; the way characters initiate and accomplish action.

5.     Purpose – is the intention, the intended effects of the acts.

 

Erving Goffman has inspired leadership studies. His concept of impression management can be theatrically outlined in acts of framing, scripting, staging, directing, and  performing:

 

1.     Framing – Frames are conceptual or cognitive views of particular situation, which suggest its interpretation. Frames cause interpreters to accept one meaning over another. Framing is a purposeful specification of the frames. Leaders can motivate people by framing their understanding of situations.

2.     Scripting are stage directions to guide performance. They outline expected behavior of actors, and cues when events should occur and actors enter or exit, define the scene, and include aspects such as casting characters, creating dialog and giving direction to a performance.

3.     Directing (Staging) - Leaders stage-manage their performances. Leaders are similar to state directors. They take care for corporate performances, arrange rehearsals for leader and staff to give desired impressions, and coaching people in their performance.

4.     Performing – Leaders and other cast members take part in the performance of managerial functions. They stage to enact (more or less) scripted dialog and set up the frame to construct their characters.