From the Stage to the Spreadsheet
How a Theatre Background Can Lead to Success in People Analytics
In the world of people analytics, data and statistics often seem like the most important skills to thrive. But many of the most effective professionals in the field come from surprising backgrounds—like theatre.
Transitioning from a non-traditional background into a data-focused field can sometimes feel intimidating. As Yasmine Hill, a people analytics professional with a theatre degree, notes:
“While my theatre degree has aided me in my career journey through HR to People Analytics, sometimes I get imposter syndrome.”
This feeling is not uncommon for those entering people analytics from various experiences and educational backgrounds. In our recent LinkedIn poll, about 30% of people analytics professionals described their background as non-HR or I/O Psychology.
While the technical skills required for data analysis are important, they are only part of the equation. People analytics is more than crunching numbers; it’s about interpreting the complex behaviors of people in an organization and turning that understanding into actionable workforce strategies. Interestingly, the skills developed in the theatre world—like storytelling, quick thinking, and human insight—are incredibly valuable for this work.
Hill reflects on how early experiences as a high school stage manager unknowingly introduced concepts of staffing and workforce planning. The skills developed in coordinating a large cast and crew parallel those required in managing workforce data. For Yasmine, being able to understand the roles and critical skills of people—whether it be the cast and crew or employees—and translating that understanding into gaps, strengths, and development areas is second nature.
For Abigail Hall, another people analytics professional who transitioned from stage management and technical theatre, the shift from managing backstage performances to managing workforce data wasn’t as unrelated as it might seem.
“Stage management helped me keep the big picture in mind.”
She explains, “I had to take in the whole theatre performance—not just the dialogue or the sound effects, but how all of it worked together to create a story. It’s so easy to get caught up in one metric, but you need all kinds of data points to tell the whole story of the workforce.” Hall’s experience shows how the holistic approach to storytelling in theatre directly applies to people analytics, where the focus is on weaving together various data points to understand the full narrative of an organization’s workforce.
This ability to see the big picture, however, doesn’t always come without challenges. Hall openly shares that her comfort lies on the "People" side of people analytics—working to translate data into stories that non-technical people can understand. "I sometimes ask my more technical colleagues the same question ten times before I fully understand it well enough to explain it to others," she says. This focus on translating complex data into clear narratives is a critical skill in people analytics—one that is often overlooked but essential for making data actionable in an organization.
Alexis Fink, a leader in people analytics who has a background in theatre, believes that theatre provides powerful preparation for the field. She emphasizes that while theatre might not directly teach the statistical side of analytics, it hones essential skills for being successful in the field.
“Theatre is spectacular preparation for [people analytics] work. Maybe not the statistical part, but the human behavior part, the thinking on your feet part, the communicating part, the creative thinking part, the bravery part, the coalition building part…”
Similarly, Jelicia Ross, a people analytics leader at Pinterest who blends a career in people analytics with a passion for improv comedy, highlights how her experience prepared her for the day-to-day realities of the job. She jokingly notes, "Joining a people analytics team is the best theatrical training—there’s always a fire to put out, and improvising happens on an everyday basis." In both theatre and people analytics, the ability to think on your feet and adapt to the unexpected is crucial. Data can shift quickly, and organizations need professionals who can pivot and respond with creative solutions—just like an actor improvising on stage.
Theatre professionals like Alexis, Abigail, Jelicia, and Yasmine remind us that people analytics is not just about crunching numbers. It’s about understanding what drives people and how different factors—just like the elements of a stage production—combine to create the bigger picture. Let’s explore six ways theatre backgrounds uniquely prepare professionals for success in people analytics.
1. Deep Understanding of Human Behavior
At the core of theatre is the study of human nature. Actors and directors spend countless hours dissecting characters, motivations, and interpersonal dynamics. This attention to the nuances of human behavior translates directly to people analytics, where understanding workforce behaviors, emotions, and engagement is key to making informed decisions. People analytics isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about understanding what drives people—something theatre professionals excel at.
2. Storytelling: Turning Data into a Narrative
One of the most critical skills in people analytics is the ability to take raw data and turn it into a compelling story that resonates with decision-makers. This is where theatre professionals shine. They understand the power of narrative and know how to captivate an audience. Translating workforce data into a clear, meaningful story that can inspire action is essential, and those with a theatre background are particularly skilled in this area.
3. Adaptability and Quick Thinking
Theatre often involves thinking on your feet—whether it’s adjusting to a fellow actor’s mistake or improvising during a live performance. Similarly, people analytics professionals must be agile, able to quickly adapt to new data insights or organizational needs. In both fields, being prepared for the unexpected and responding quickly and creatively can make all the difference.
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4. Communication Skills: Presenting with Confidence
Theatre professionals are trained communicators who know how to present complex ideas clearly and confidently. In people analytics, these skills are crucial when presenting data insights to leadership and other non-technical stakeholders. Making the data understandable and actionable requires presenting insights in a way that connects, builds trust, and ensures the message is heard. Theatre teaches professionals how to "command a room" using space, body language, cadence, volume, and even strategic pauses to capture attention and keep an audience engaged. Being able to adjust their “costume” to suit the audience is invaluable when delivering critical data insights.
5. Collaboration and Teamwork
Theatre is a highly collaborative environment, with actors, directors, and crew members working together to bring a vision to life. Likewise, professionals in this field must work closely with HR teams, leadership, and other departments to collect data, analyze trends, and implement solutions. The collaborative skills developed in theatre translate seamlessly to working across teams and building consensus in an organizational setting.
6. Creativity and Problem-Solving
At its heart, theatre is about creativity—finding new ways to tell stories and engage audiences. This creative mindset is just as valuable in people analytics, where innovative thinking is needed to uncover insights from data, solve workforce challenges, and propose forward-thinking solutions.
Conclusion
As more diverse backgrounds enter the field, it’s becoming increasingly clear that many different experiences can be the perfect foundation for a successful career in analytics. Theatre professionals bring a wide range of skills—storytelling, adaptability, collaboration, and a deep understanding of human behavior—that are uniquely valuable in the world of people analytics. So, the next time you think of who might make an excellent people analytics professional, don’t overlook those with creative backgrounds—you might just find the perfect cast.
People Analytics Professionals from Theatre Backgrounds
(Click the photos to learn more about them on their LinkedIn pages!)
