Industry Explorers Podcast

Welcome back to Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Colleen Batchelder. The first part of our conversation really dug into her journey and accomplishments while touching on the overall issue of diversity and inclusion in the workspace. 

In Part 2 we’re digging deeper into the issues. Namely how white privilege shows up when “allies” start to take part in tokenism and defense rather than supporting their friends and colleagues of color. 

 

We’re also chatting about the benefits of understanding the experiences of the people around you and how to create safe spaces for people to flourish within an organization. The conversation around diversity and inclusion goes so far beyond simply creating a space at the table.

 

The table should also be set, prepared, and inviting so that no member of your team feels as if they are there only as a statistic. 

 

Listen as Dr. Batchelder provides additional information on the terms used in the DEI conversation and what each of us can do to create a more welcoming work environment. You don’t need to be in the c-suite to help further the DEI initiative. 

 

Which part of this conversation stuck out to you the most? I’d love to know!

 

In this episode:

[00:34] The definition of Boomer is baby boomers late 50s to early 70s they were raised in the hippy generation but then falling into line and being more traditional.

[02:03] GenX range in age from early 40s to late 50s.

[04:01] Millennials are fun and the age range is early late 30s to around 28, family first paycheck later.

[05:53] GenZ is an interesting generation. They rarely do anything without approval from their peers.

[09:33] Colleen defines LGBTQIA+ and the difference between sexuality and gender.

[12:35] I love TikTok because anyone can put up a video and you can observe and understand the person in the video.

[13:33] Social media is giving people a voice, sharing their story and being 100% who they are.

[15:12] Listen as Colleen shares the benefits of understanding the experience of other people.

[17:25] Let’s talk about marginalization and social exclusion and what it is.

[20:36] “Ask yourself whether your belief is hurting the people around you and if it is question it.”

[23:27] Colleen speaks about privilege versus legal right.

[27:47] All of her research and education lead Colleen into the business arena.

[29:24] She talks about what her consulting work looks like and how long she consults with these businesses.

[32:01] With a company, a lot of stuff starts internally.

[35:21] Colleen shares the classes and degrees she would recommend for a high school student that wants to have a career in diversity and inclusion consulting.

[39:30] She has created quarter goals this year, and this quarter she is sending out a proposal for her book on diversity and inclusion.

[40:53] Listen for Colleen’s call to action.

[43:11] Thank you for being on the show!

 

Links and Resources

Inclusion: Diversity, The New Workplace & The Will To Change by Jennifer Brown

How to Work With and Lead People Not Like You: Practical Solutions For Today’s Diverse Workplace by Kelly McDonald 

Leading With Cultural Intelligence: The Real Secret To Success by David A. Livermore

True Inclusion: Creating Communities of Radical Embrace by Brandan Robertson

Inclusive Leadership: The Definitive Guide to Developing & Executing an Impactful Diversity and Inclusion Strategy by Charlotte Sweeney

Hilary Rushford’s Elegant Excellence Journal

Gender Revolution A Journey With Katie Couric

Connect with Colleen:

Dr. Colleen Batchelder

Blog

30 Days of Hope Podcast

Loud Summit

Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

 

Connect with Siobhan: 

Industry ExplorersIndustry Explorers Facebook GroupIndustry Explorers on FacebookIndustry Explorers on InstagramIndustry Explorers on YouTubeIndustry Explorers on TikTokBook a Connection Call

 

Love the show and want to help support us? Donate to our Ko-Fi Account. We love providing you with these stories, tips, and recommendations, but it takes a lot of time and resources. Keep the podcast going and donate today!

Dr. Colleen Batchelder has spent the last 20 years striving to learn about and spread the message of appropriate diversity and inclusion practices. Her worldview was forever changed by her early years in professional theatre. She has spent her life trying to create safe spaces for all in the workforce and the world. 

 

Take a quick peek into her accomplishments: 

 

Dr. Batchelder was named an emerging leader under 40 by the NYC Mayor's Center for Faith and Community Partnership, presented her PechaKucha on diversity and inclusion at Oxford University, and was a consultant for Thrivent and numerous nonprofits and corporations.

 

Her writing has been published in Entrepreneur, Entrepreneur Mexico, Green Entrepreneur, The Ladders, MSN, Lifehack.org, Thrive Global, She Owns It, The Good Men Project, Stamford Advocate, InClub Magazine, and George Fox University. She has also been featured in, 30 Days of Hope, Andy's Pandemic Podcast, Missy Ohe Show, LOUD Conversations, I’ll Go First, Unconventional Leaders, and Repurposed.

 

In this first half of our conversation, we chat about her background in theatre and why it was so impactful to her college experience. We also dig into why she decided to go to seminary school and pursue her doctorate despite feeling shunned by the church. 

 

She is also sharing definitions and insights on various terms that you hear when discussing diversity and inclusion. Listen in to part II as a continuation of our conversation and to learn all about the issues she sees when white allies try to take over the DEI conversation. 

 

In this episode:

[01:59] Welcome to the show, Colleen!

[02:56] When she was young, Colleen wanted to be on Broadway.

[04:26] Listen as Colleen shares how she got the opportunity to do theater professionally.

[07:12] She discusses the opportunities she had growing up to see diversity in the people around her while being in theater.

[10:34] Colleen felt like she was accepted by her family and church only if she acted like they wanted.

[11:41] “The idea of diversity is being invited to dance, inclusion is being asked to dance.”

[14:29] She doesn’t speak for people of color or LBGTQ. She creates platforms and spaces for them to speak for themselves.

[15:04] The study of how people are is anthropology.

[17:22] Colleen shares the definition of ethnography.

[20:12] She talks about where she went to school for her undergrad and what she studied.

[23:44] Her doctorate in religion is something she feels she got out of spite for how she was treated in her faith and being dismissed as a woman.

[26:36] Siobhan shares that sometimes it doesn’t matter how much you’ve accomplished, someone somewhere is going to disrespect you.

[29:44] Guided meditation is a way to create an emotional state of health.

[31:10] She talks about how she knows when she has hit a wall.

[32:59] “The best way to do things is don’t start out with your opinion, start out in the stance of learning.”

[35:16] If you are thinking of going to graduate school, make sure you do something you love or will make a difference.

[37:52] We will continue this conversation in Part II.

Links and Resources

Inclusion: Diversity, The New Workplace & The Will To Change by Jennifer Brown

How to Work With and Lead People Not Like You: Practical Solutions For Today’s Diverse Workplace by Kelly McDonald 

Leading With Cultural Intelligence: The Real Secret To Success by David A. Livermore

True Inclusion: Creating Communities of Radical Embrace by Brandan Robertson

Inclusive Leadership: The Definitive Guide to Developing & Executing an Impactful Diversity and Inclusion Strategy by Charlotte Sweeney

Hilary Rushford’s Elegant Excellence Journal

 

Connect with Colleen:

Dr. Colleen Batchelder

Blog

30 Days of Hope Podcast

Loud Summit

Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

 

Connect with Siobhan: 

Industry ExplorersIndustry Explorers Facebook GroupIndustry Explorers on FacebookIndustry Explorers on InstagramIndustry Explorers on YouTubeIndustry Explorers on TikTokBook a Connection Call

 

Love the show and want to help support us? Donate to our Ko-Fi Account. We love providing you with these stories, tips, and recommendations, but it takes a lot of time and resources. Keep the podcast going and donate today!

Jim Shumway and I are back to talk all things automation and performer flying. We dig into the certifications you should be looking to get if you want to make a career of technical theatre and live event design. Jim is also sharing his thoughts on the various roles in the industry. 

 

One of the big topics we cover is why there isn’t currently a certification for automated rigging and reasons why that needs to change. We also cover what kinds of questions should be included in such a certification. 

 

Think about it. You’re talking about creating a computer program designed to move a human body or a large piece of set around a room. That room could be the size of a stadium or the size of a theatre. Either way, you are responsible for the lives of the performers and the audience members. 

 

Shouldn’t that responsibility require certification? 

 

Aside from our deep dive into automated rigging, we also chat about finding work-life balance and why you should never make your company or your profession your everything. When you die, your job will be listed before your obituary ever gets printed. Act accordingly! (Said perfectly by Jim)

 

This was a fantastic conversation and part 2 is just as informative and deep diving as part 1. Listen in and let me know what you favorite takeaways are!

 

In this episode:

[00:30] Now for part II of my interview with Jim Shumway!

[00:44] Listen as Jim discusses TAIT, what it is and what they do.

[03:45] Jim shares the responsibility of a Systems Integrator and what students should study to become one.

[07:08] Jim talks about who he means when he says the authority that has jurisdiction.

[11:58] Jim discusses the things that a project manager at TAIT handles.

[14:23] Jim speaks about the scope of reasonability that changes from Project Manager to Senior Project Manager.

[17:10] Reporting structure on a project is not related to reporting structure organizationally.

[19:28] Jim talks about when he got his ETCP Certifications.

[21:31] ETCP stands for Entertainment Technicians Certification Program.

[23:59] Jim believes they need a certification for automated rigging.

[27:21] There are three main parts for the Arena Entertainers Riggers Certification; the planning and engineering, installation, and materials and equipment.

[28:12] Jim shares some things he would include in the automated rigging certification under the planning and engineering part of the certification.

[30:42] Jim explains the safe sandbox principle.

[33:03] The real jump from a theater and arena certification to an automated certification is that theater and arena are 2D where automated is 3D.

[36:18] Jim shares the materials and equipment you should have knowledge of if you were to take the fictional right now automated rigging certification.

[39:39] Jim says that he wouldn’t change the requirements for certifications if he was to write an automated certification.

[42:02] Listen as Jim speaks about the things he talks about in his book.

[44:30] Jim discusses his pilot's license and how much it costs to get the certification.

[46:22] Jim talks about who he believes are the greats in his industry.

[49:25] Jim shares the best and the worst of his current job.

[52:23] Jim speaks about his work life balance and how to maintain a healthy relationship.

[55:22] Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life is what Jim wants to leave the listeners with.

[57:40] Raiders of the Lost Ark is a movie he puts on when he wants to fall asleep.

[58:50] Thank you so much for being on the show!

 

Links and Resources:

TAIT

TAIT Performer Flying 

TAIT Take Over

TAIT Talks

TAIT Group of Companies

Navigator Training

Mechanical Design for the Stage

ETCP Certifications

IATSE Local Union Directory

One Shot Training

Emerson College Pre-College Programs

Emerson College Undergraduate Programs

Yale University School of Drama - Technical Design and Production

California State University - Fullerton

North Carolina School of the Arts

New York University

University of Nevada - Las Vegas

Dichotomy of Leadership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

 

Connect with Jim:

Book - Automated Performer Flying: The State of the Art

TAIT Take Over - Jim Shumway, Project Management

Jim on LinkedIn 

 

Connect with Siobhan: 

Industry ExplorersIndustry Explorers Facebook GroupIndustry Explorers on FacebookIndustry Explorers on InstagramIndustry Explorers on YouTubeIndustry Explorers on TikTokBook a Connection Call

 

Love the show and want to help support us? Donate to our Ko-Fi Account. We love providing you with these stories, tips, and recommendations, but it takes a lot of time and resources. Keep the podcast going and donate today!

Jim Shumway is a Senior Project Manager at TAIT. Over his eight-plus years with the company he has delivered unique solutions for clients of all sizes and markets including arena/stadium concert touring, theme parks, award shows, brand activations, and permanent installations. 

 

His portfolio includes productions for clients such as Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, P!NK, Bruno Mars, The Metropolitan Opera, Disney, and Universal Studios.

 

Before joining TAIT Jim traveled the world with Cirque du Soleil on four shows over five years, participating in two creations, reaching the role of Head Rigger. He is an annual guest lecturer at the Yale School of Drama speaking on acrobatic rigging and performer flying, and is the author of Automated Performer Flying: The State of the Art, published in 2019 by Routledge. 

 

He holds a BFA from Emerson College in technical direction. He is ETCP certified in both arena and theatre rigging and is also an ETCP Recognized Trainer.

 

All of this is available in his LinkedIn bio, but what it doesn’t tell you is why Jim decided on technical theatre in the first place. He joins me to chat about his early years, why he chose technical theatre for college, and how his first jobs prepared him in different was to tackle the “real world” of work. 

 

This is a two-part series dedicated to what it takes to become a Senior Project Manager for one of the largest live experience entertainment solutions in the industry. Listen in to part one to hear all about his early years, his first jobs out of college, and why you don’t need to specialize to succeed.

 

In this episode:

[00:56] Welcome to the show, Jim!

[01:43] What inspired him to get into technical theater.

[04:21] High school fundamentals apply to every other show you do.

[05:54] Jim speaks about doing high school and community theaters while working at McDonalds.

[07:27] Jim talks about how he believes working at McDonalds helped him with his love of theater.

[08:58] The biggest thing he took away from his time at the carpet cleaning company is that reality doesn’t matter, how your customer perceives it is what matters.

[12:07] Emerson College is a well-known college for people in the film and theater industries.

[15:10] When looking at a college, get to know the staff and professors to make sure this is where you want to spend your money.

[18:47] Jim discusses the curriculum you should look for if you want to get into technical theater.

[20:08] Jim shares what made him a deck one sub for the Blue Man Group and what being a deck one sub means.

[24:24] Jim talks about the top most helpful courses required from his BFA program.

[28:10] If you are going into technical theater in any capacity you definitely should take a computer rated drafting course like AutoCAD or Vector works.

[30:59] Listen, as Jim shares, how he would improve Emerson's BFA program.

[32:58] TAIT doesn’t care where you went to college, they want to see attitude and amplitude.

[34:42] Jim says don’t be afraid to ask for help is rule number 1.

[34:50] Rule number 2 is never make anyone else ask you for help, because you should see that they need help before they ask.

[35:45] Listen as Jim discusses the process from start to onboarding of becoming a Cirque du Soleil employee.

[38:15] If you really want to work for Cirque, be willing to go where no one else is willing to go.

[41:38] Jim talks about finishing the theater and building the show for Cirque in China.

[45:27] He wrote the rescue plan for ZAiA while putting the show together in China.

[48:22] Jim discusses the position at New York City Opera he accepted but never happened in part because of the housing crisis.

[51:03] When you are an up and coming professional in any industry, it’s important to have a broad set of skills.

[54:00] Listen next week for part II of this amazing interview with Jim Shumway.

 

Links and Resources:

TAIT

TAIT Performer Flying 

TAIT Take Over

TAIT Talks

TAIT Group of Companies

Navigator Training

Mechanical Design for the Stage

ETCP Certifications

IATSE Local Union Directory

One Shot Training

Emerson College Pre-College Programs

Emerson College Undergraduate Programs

Yale University School of Drama - Technical Design and Production

California State University - Fullerton

North Carolina School of the Arts

New York University

University of Nevada - Las Vegas

 

Connect with Jim:

Book - Automated Performer Flying: The State of the Art

TAIT Take Over - Jim Shumway, Project Management

 

Connect with Siobhan: 

Industry ExplorersIndustry Explorers Facebook GroupIndustry Explorers on FacebookIndustry Explorers on InstagramIndustry Explorers on YouTubeIndustry Explorers on TikTokBook a Connection Call

 

Love the show and want to help support us? Donate to our Ko-Fi Account. We love providing you with these stories, tips, and recommendations, but it takes a lot of time and resources. Keep the podcast going and donate today!

Are you overwhelmed by the major life decisions society expects you to make, right now? You haven't even graduated from high school. Yet, you are expected to know if you even want to go to college and if you do, then you're expected to know what school to apply for and what major to pursue. You're expected to know your dream career, and you might not know how you're supposed to attain that dream or how you're going to pay for it.

If you try to find these answers via clubs and extracurriculars, then you are expected to spend money on registration fees, equipment, transportation. More crucially, it takes so much of your time. Your time and resources are immensely valuable and you deserve to explore your interests and discover yourself, no matter who you are or where you come from.

Industry Explorers exists to streamline that process and relieve you of your anxiety. We envision a world devoid of wasted potential. We are dedicated to guiding you toward the career of your dreams. Our guests orate their journey from high school student to successful career professional. Let Industry Explorers be part of your journey. Explore, discover, play.

 

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Connect with Siobhan: 

Industry Explorers

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