Stage management is a craft built on consistency, order, and reliability, but every once in a while, progress require taking risks. In episode 18 of Backstage Banter, Bryan and Jay reflected on their journey with the show, their new educational projects, and the role that experimentation plays in moving the industry forward.
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Whether it’s testing a new platform like Kajabi for teaching stage management, or simply hitting “record” on a conversation that might feel raw and unpolished, taking risks creates space for growth, connection, and innovation. Risk does not always show up as a high-stakes gamble. It often looks like a small step forward into something unfamiliar. In fact, some of the most transformative moments in live entertainment come from experiments that, on the surface, feel ordinary or even insignificant. A new piece of software, a slightly different way of calling cues, or a rehearsal process structured just a little differently can reveal possibilities that would have remained hidden if we clung to tradition.
Risk also challenges the myth of perfection that so many of us carry into our work. Stage managers are wired to anticipate problems, prevent chaos, and keep things running smoothly. But when the pursuit of order turns into rigidity, growth stalls. Choosing to step into an experiment—whether it succeeds or fails—reminds both leaders and teams that the work does not need to be flawless to be meaningful. In fact, imperfection often invites collaboration. When a leader shows that they are willing to try something new without the guarantee of success, it signals to the team that they too can take initiative, share ideas, and contribute to innovation without fear of punishment or embarrassment.
There is also a deeply human side to risk-taking. Raw, unpolished moments…like recording a conversation that may wander off-topic can create unexpected opportunities for connection. Audiences and teams alike respond to authenticity. When people witness leaders exploring, stumbling, and learning in real time, it builds trust. It reminds everyone that backstage work, though steeped in precision, is still driven by people willing to adapt and grow. Risk-taking, in this sense, is not just a strategy for progress. Its a way of showing that curiosity and courage matter as much as consistency.
The Value of Taking Risks
Not every risk needs to be massive. Sometimes it’s as simple as trying a new workflow, testing new software, or rethinking a tradition.
- Experimentation builds confidence. Small trials help stage managers develop a deeper trust in their judgment.
- Failure isn’t the end. When a new process doesn’t work, it often sparks better solutions.
- Iteration leads to innovation. The best backstage practices rarely appear fully formed; they’re refined through trial and error.
Why Leaders Need to Model Experimentation
When leaders step into risk with openness, their teams feel safer to do the same. Stage managers, in particular, set the tone for an entire production.
- Psychological safety grows from presence. Teams thrive when they know their leader won’t punish experimentation.
- Creative industries demand evolution. Staying stuck in “how we’ve always done it” limits progress.
- Modeling risk encourages buy-in. A stage manager’s willingness to adapt can inspire the crew to embrace change.
Tools as Catalysts for Growth
Bryan and Jay discussed experimenting with Kajabi, a digital platform designed for course creation. For them, it’s not about chasing shiny tools but about finding sustainable ways to share knowledge.
- Technology extends teaching. Online tools can bring stage management training to more people than ever.
- Risk meets opportunity. Every new platform carries unknowns, but it also holds potential to scale impact.
- The future is hybrid. Education, like production, will continue blending digital and in-person experiences.
Key Takeaways
- Risk in stage management doesn’t mean recklessness—it means being willing to experiment and adapt.
- Leaders who model openness to change create space for their teams to take initiative.
- Tools like Kajabi aren’t just tech, they’re opportunities to reimagine how stage management knowledge is passed down.
- Every backstage innovation starts as a disruption to the norm.
💡 Read more about risk taking and how we can transform that into our super power on Half-Hour.