Abstract:

Leadership structure is an integral, yet often overlooked, component to the success and sustainability of student theatrical organizations. In this research project, I examine the optimal leadership structure for Kirkland Drama Society (KDS), an undergraduate drama organization at Harvard. I surveyed a group of KDS members from Fall 2021, conducted five expert interviews with current and former KDS leaders, and interviewed four leaders of other undergraduate drama organizations. From the survey, my primary findings were that most KDS members were content with a small leadership structure, but some were interested in a clearer schedule. Based on my expert interviews with KDS leaders, I learned that there have been modifications to the leadership structure over time to improve communication and that tutors see setting expectations as the biggest challenge. Through the interviews with other undergraduate theater leaders, I found that each organization has a stage manager position that helps with scheduling, many incorporate a mix of election and appointment to their roles, and they provide clear delineation of roles within leadership. Using this data along with my careful literature design, I set forth four recommendations for KDS leaders moving forward. The recommendations are to add a stage manager position, move to a nomination-based system for choosing leaders, designate a split of responsibilities across leaders prior to each show, and conduct an audit of members and resources before each show. My deliverable, a guide for KDS leaders included these recommendations along with a timeline of responsibilities, former email templates, and a scene-by-scene guide for stage managing.