When the Curtain Falls: Leadership, Casting, and Breaking the Mold

The workplace can often feel like a stage. There are directors, cast members, supporting players, and even understudies, all working to bring a production to life. After 6.5 years in a role I built from scratch, my time in this particular production came to an end. The curtain fell, and I wasn’t recast for the next act.

It wasn’t the ending I imagined. It felt less like a graceful exit and more like being written out of the script without warning. There was no dramatic monologue to prepare me for the transition, no gentle nudge toward the stage door. Just a quiet decision made behind the scenes, leaving me stunned in the spotlight.

This moment was particularly poignant for me because theater has always been part of my life. As the adviser of Artistang Artlets, the official theater guild of the Faculty of Arts and Letters, and someone who did theater in college, I know what it means to step into a role and bring it to life. But unlike the stage, where every actor has a script, I had none. This was my first time in this kind of administrative role, and I had no guidance whatsoever. It was like being thrust into an improv scene with no direction—only instincts and passion to guide me.

But as the dust settles, I find myself reflecting on what this production taught me—about roles, leadership, and the courage it takes to break free from the mold.

The Cast of Characters: Boss, Manager, or Leader?

Every workplace production has its cast of characters, each playing a distinct role.

? The boss is the director who micromanages every scene, shouting orders from the sidelines. They trust no one, preferring to dictate every movement and line, often missing the bigger picture in the process.

? The manager is the stage manager. They keep the trains running on time, ensuring props are in place, lines are memorized, and cues are hit. They’re efficient, reliable, and essential, but they don’t always inspire the cast to think beyond their roles.

? And then there’s the leader—the rare director who steps into the trenches with the cast, who nurtures creativity, trusts the process, and knows that the best performances come from collaboration, not control.

Throughout my career, I’ve encountered all three. While each role has its place, I’ve learned that true leadership—the kind that brings out the best in people—requires empathy, vision, and the ability to let others shine.

Casting Me: A Quirky Performer

If my time in this role were a theater production, I imagine my casting would come with a few notes: “Quirky, impulsive, and emotional. Prone to bold choices. Doesn’t always follow the script but often surprises the audience with unexpected brilliance.”

These qualities didn’t always fit neatly into the production’s mold. I wasn’t the actor who played it safe, sticking to the script word for word. I took risks. I questioned decisions. I pushed for scenes that others were hesitant to explore.

And yes, that made me a challenging cast member at times. But it also made me authentic. I brought my whole self to the role—flaws, quirks, and all.

The truth is that some productions come with rigid molds. They want performers who follow the script perfectly and who conform to the director’s vision without question. And when you don’t fit that mold, the instinct is to adapt, to shrink yourself to fit their expectations.

But here’s what I’ve learned: Don’t let the role define you. Define the role. Break the mold, and bring your own magic to the stage. Because that’s where the real art happens.

When the Curtain Falls

Leaving a role—especially one you poured your heart into—is never easy. But when the curtain falls, it’s not the end of the show. It’s a chance to step off one stage and onto another.

My advice to anyone else who’s been written out of the script is this: Take your bow, leave the stage with grace, and don’t let anyone convince you that your quirks and nuances are flaws. They’re your brilliance.

For me, this isn’t the end of the story. It’s a new production, a new cast, and a chance to take my magic somewhere, and it will be appreciated. The spotlight will find me again—I have no doubt.

Because the stage may change at the end of the day, but the performer remains. And this performer is just getting started.