{"id":14294,"date":"2026-08-26T14:18:25","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T18:18:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/?p=14294"},"modified":"2026-08-26T14:18:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T18:18:25","slug":"choreographing-your-pivot-from-stage-to-strategic-communications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progressions.prsa.org\/index.php\/2026\/08\/26\/choreographing-your-pivot-from-stage-to-strategic-communications\/","title":{"rendered":"Choreographing Your Pivot: From Stage to Strategic Communications"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The performing arts-to-public relations pipeline is real. Talented young performers decide to pursue careers beyond the stage, but they want to retain the creativity and presence they\u2019ve become accustomed to in their pre-professional lives. Public relations offers the excitement of live entertainment with the stability artists typically don\u2019t experience, making it an ideal haven. Yet for many, the transition from the stage to the spotlight can feel like starting over.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I stepped into the first day of my introductory media production course as a recently retired dancer, I immediately felt behind. Most of my peers had spent time in high school radio stations or TV clubs; some had already completed training programs or internships. I had spent the last 16 years in a ballet studio, preparing for a dream that would shift just before my college experience. Sure, I had written for my very small school newspaper and dabbled in managing a free WordPress blog, but my portfolio was nowhere near comparable. Like the relationship between the Romance languages, most dance styles share a common foundation \u2014 once you\u2019ve mastered one style, you can pick up the others pretty quickly. However, I was in a new space, and at first glance, it felt like there were no common steps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It felt like starting from scratch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That was, until my courses began to shift from technical beginner-level platform walkthroughs toward intermediate and advanced concepts. As my professors began discussing theories and practices new to the entire class, I realized I was picking up the material more quickly than some of my peers. That shouldn\u2019t have been a surprise, though, after having picked up new combinations after only a single demonstration without music. As we started to dive deeper into platforms like InDesign, I realized I had a natural inclination for layout, drawing on my background in staging and choreography. When I reached the required public speaking course, I had no fear of live audiences or developing a strong persona. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though rarely framed in comparative terms, the performing arts and marketing are both forms of communication. Even further, the most successful of each aim to convince their audiences to feel and act differently. Success in both fields depends on relationship building. Just as performing artists build relationships with directors and creative teams connect with producers, marketers build relationships with leadership and vendors. Once you start to draw the comparisons, it\u2019s hard to understand why the two aren\u2019t more commonly discussed in relation to each other, beyond the broad title of \u201ccreatives.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former performers may arrive with these instincts, but these skills are fully teachable. Especially if you\u2019re enrolled in a liberal arts institution, introductory-level classes in theater and dance may prove to be very insightful. Stagecraft fundamentals, while teaching entertainment appreciation, reveal how body language and nonverbal cues shape a message. You\u2019ll also learn how timing enhances delivery while building crowd-presenting confidence, both of which are critical for establishing a strong professional presence. Beyond that, you\u2019ll gain a foundational understanding of design for physical spaces and for the camera, which sharpens your visual instincts for both print and digital work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019ve completed an introductory theater project or you\u2019re a highly accomplished pre-professional making a pivot, your experience in the arts has a spot on your resume. You can frame your stage crew experience as a collaboration with a large team that uses elaborate technical platforms. As a performer, you can speak to your ability to memorize and deliver extensive amounts of information. If you\u2019ve ever been an understudy, you can highlight your agility, ability to learn quickly and readiness for crisis management. Even if your involvement has been limited to volunteering or student groups, don\u2019t neglect your event-planning contributions or the customer service skills you gained in front of house. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Career transitions are rarely a full start over, but a step from the arts into communications is among the simplest choreography. As a communications student, you\u2019ve likely been introduced to the concept of spinning a story; in this case, consider spinning your arts experience into the language of marketing, communications and media. After all, when you make the world your stage, you just have to step beyond the wings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Toni Marie Perilli is a mass communication graduate student at the University of Florida, featured copywriter in the American Theatre Wing\u2019s \u201cArt of a Show Master Class\u201d and writer and editor for publications including Her Campus UFL and Rowdy Magazine. Beyond her work and studies, Toni Marie can often be found planning her next off-Broadway outing, reading a rom-com, or posting about theme parks and beauty finds on her personal blog, Terrifically Toni. Connect with her on LinkedIn<\/a>!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Career transitions are rarely a full start over, but a step from the arts into communications is among the simplest choreography. As a communications student, you\u2019ve likely been introduced to the concept of spinning a story; in this case, consider spinning your arts experience into the language of marketing, communications and media.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":14295,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3512,2892,3793,3776,3775,3505],"tags":[4105,76,3264,2217,40],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t