Theatre Design & Technology - Fall 2021 - 17

this tends to limit conversation and can
stymie the artistic process.
The Transactional Communication
Model focuses on what the listener
heard rather than what the speaker
said (Ashman 2009). This may seem
like an obvious goal when communicating,
but consider how much time we
spend framing our words to make sure
our wording is precise. Do we spend as
much time thinking about whether the
recipient heard the message as intended?
As a teacher, it takes time to formulate
open-ended questions to be asked
throughout a lecture that will allow the
students the space to identify areas of
misunderstanding. But it is more difficult
in meetings discussing creative visions.
Either side's attempt to probe for
understanding may come across as condescending
or patronizing, so care must
be taken, and at the center of that care
is empathy. Empathy is a key to transactional
communication because it allows
you the freedom to consider how your
words are coming across more actively.
Empathy also helps create space to
listen, without judgment, when the message
is not heard as intended.
The importance of transparency in
all sides of the process cannot be overestimated.
As a technical director, the
more openly I share my findings, the
more the conversation will focus on
the data, rather than on opinions. It is
the number, and not my opinion, that
indicates the scope of the project exceeds
the organization's stated parameters.
Transparency invites openness
and vulnerability; the technical director
must be ready to have not only the
numbers be challenged, but also the
initial assumptions that helped create
the context for the bidding process. And
the same can be said of the generative
part of the artistic team. In these meetings
regarding maintaining scope, everyone's
vision is being challenged to
some extent. As such, everyone involved
should be working to foster an environment
of empathy and charity. We need
to listen more actively and engagingly
as we seek solutions that support the
original artistic intent. We must assume
the responsibility to create a safe environment
where questions can be asked
and answered openly and without
recriminations.
Our preferred mode of communication
may not be the most effective
choice for every situation, so it's important
to note any non-verbal cues and
engage in active listening practices that
ensure our message is received. But
don't confuse " received " with " accepted. "
Received simply means the listener
heard what was said. If that person
receives, understands, and effectively
communicates disagreement, that is a
productive conversation that may lead
to a good problem-solving process.
Reading the Room
In an ideal setting, meetings involve
transfering information and debating
ideas in a respectful and supportive
manner. In a healthy meeting, people
listen and ask questions, and ideas are
challenged and debated. But meetings
can also be situations in which we feel
unsafe because of a perceived negative
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FALL 2021 | THEATRE DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY | 17
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Theatre Design & Technology - Fall 2021

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