Here's how you can effectively navigate crisis situations in a theatrical production setting.

First and foremost, find your inner calm and assess the problem before you take action. Remember that safety of the crew is always your top priority, so if the crisis puts any person or animal in danger, you need to halt production immediately -- clear the set, and call 911 if necessary. If you've established that the crisis isn't life-threatening, then decide if this is a problem that can be solved in the moment for production to continue; or do you need to pivot and go to another set-up while this problem is addressed. Utilize the experience of department heads to reach that decision. Avoid the blame game and focus on what you (and others) need to do to course correct and fix the problem in the moment.

Yes . Being calm and thinking clearly will set the tone towards a resolution. The old saying hast make waste. Team requires attention and is best handled with smooth reaction

When a problem strikes, the test of skills and lead by examples comes out to the fullest. A coach once told me “don’t let one problem turn to multiple.” That quote has stuck with me ever since middle school. One thing I find helpful is to take that first deep breathe. That extra second to take that breath allows you to have a grander view of the problem and how to go about finding the solution. Even if you’re panicking inside your head, the exterior calmness will help lead your crew to a positive outcome and a faster solution without adding to the emergencies.

I think that if someone is in danger the first and most important matter is getting them out of danger . What ever it takes. If it be done smoothly or it must be done rapidly. It’s usually in the moment you will make a decision

In all performing arts, timing is everything. Taking that extra breath allows you to see the emergency in the fuller picture, allowing you to see what needs to be done. We all try to fix the issue without the audience noticing or disrupting the flow of the show but when it comes to safety, injuries or worst are never worth the experience. If a safety issue arises, either on stage or in the audience, go ahead and stop the show. All parties will be understanding of the situation. It better for the audience to remember a show stopping than remembering an injury that could have been prevented.

I do agree over communication is far more important that leaving uncertainty. I am a big communicator . Everyone knows what the situation is and their options.

Communication is key to finding every solution. When no communication is going on, you’ll have multiple people trying multiple solutions, often counteracting each other. No communication will also leave your team in doubt creating an uncertain work culture. Keeping everyone in communication and informed of the situation will lead to a faster solution and build confidence in all parties involved.

I agree smooth is alway better. If no need to disrupt and you can transition calmly without attention . This is alway much better for everyone.

Preparedness will make all the difference in every situation. In a previous company, we would run drills for power lost, especially while flying a performer. Running these drills in various ways gave us answers to multiple situations that could pop up. Having a plan is great, but actually practices these plans will give you different insights as well as a plan b, and c, and even a d. Things may not always go to plan, it being prepared will make all the deference in the world.

The worst time to call someone out or argue is during a time of crisis. “Disciplining” or arguing during a crisis wastes time and breaks a team up faster than anything else. When a crisis happens, that’s the time for everyone to come together and help. A post meeting afterwards is the time to figure out why something happened and how to prevent it in the future. Every situation is a learning opportunity strengthening the skills set for future events and a supportive leader can help ensure those skills will carry on to the next crisis.

I agree team work is so very important. I personally prefer team work over being solo. The bonding of the community is healthy and helpful