What do you do if remote work is affecting the quality of theatrical production?

1 Assess your needs

The first step is to identify what aspects of your theatrical production require remote work and what resources and tools you need to facilitate them. For example, if you are a playwright, you might need a reliable software for writing and editing your script, as well as a platform for sharing and receiving feedback from your dramaturg or director. If you are a director, you might need a video conferencing software for conducting rehearsals and meetings with your cast and crew, as well as a way to record and review your work. If you are a designer, you might need a software for creating and presenting your sketches, models, or renderings, as well as a way to collaborate with other designers and technicians. Make a list of your needs and prioritize them according to their importance and urgency.

2 Choose your tools

The next step for remote work is to select the best tools and platforms based on your needs, budget, and preferences. Cloud-based applications, online databases, digital platforms, and social media are all viable options for different aspects of theatrical production. Popular tools and platforms used by theatre practitioners include Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides for creating documents; Zoom, Skype, or Google Meet for video conferencing; Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive for storing files; Slack, Discord, or WhatsApp for messaging; Trello, Asana, or Basecamp for project management; Canva, Photoshop, or SketchUp for graphic design; Soundtrap, Audacity, or GarageBand for audio editing; and YouTube, Vimeo, or Twitch for video streaming. Other options exist that may be more suitable to your specific needs and goals such as online theatre festivals, virtual reality platforms, or interactive storytelling tools. However, don't overburden yourself or collaborators with too many tools and platforms as this can lead to confusion and frustration. Instead choose ones that are easy to use, compatible with your devices, and secure your data.

3 Communicate effectively

Communication is essential for any successful theatrical production, especially when working remotely. To ensure effective communication, it's important to establish clear expectations and goals and communicate them to your collaborators and stakeholders. Utilize the appropriate tools for different types of communication, such as email, phone, or video call, and be mindful of the preferred modes and times of communication of your collaborators and stakeholders. Additionally, be concise, clear, respectful in your messages, providing constructive feedback to your collaborators and asking for feedback from your stakeholders. Regularly check in with your collaborators and stakeholders, informing them of progress, challenges, and achievements. Remain flexible and adaptable to changes and challenges while being supportive and empathetic to your collaborators and stakeholders. Finally, celebrate successes and milestones together.

4 Manage your time

Time management is essential for any theatrical production, especially when working remotely. To ensure success, you should create a realistic and detailed schedule for your remote work and stick to it. Additionally, break down tasks into smaller and manageable steps, prioritize them according to importance and urgency, set specific and measurable goals with deadlines, and track progress and performance. Utilize tools such as calendars, timers, or reminders to help organize and streamline your work. Minimize distractions like social media, notifications, or noise that may affect focus and productivity. Take regular breaks and rest periods to recharge energy and creativity; also be sure to balance work and personal life by setting boundaries for working hours, locations, or devices.

5 Evaluate your results

The final step in theatrical production is to evaluate your results and outcomes, as evaluation is essential. Remote work can be difficult for evaluation, such as lack of feedback, visibility, or recognition. To overcome these challenges, you should define criteria and indicators for measuring the quality and impact of your remote work, and communicate them to collaborators and stakeholders. Additionally, use tools and platforms that help you collect and analyze data and evidence for your remote work. Seek feedback and reviews from collaborators, stakeholders, and audiences, and reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. Lastly, recognize and reward yourself and collaborators for efforts and accomplishments, and celebrate achievements. Remote work can be challenging for theatrical production; however, by following these tips and strategies you can maintain a high standard while working from home or online.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?