At 5pm, laptops close, meetings end and inboxes are paused, but for a growing number of Northern Ireland’s professionals, the busy day is far from over.
Instead of heading home, they head to rehearsal rooms.
Suits are swapped for costumes, spreadsheets for scripts, and boardroom presentations for show-stopping musical numbers. It’s a transition that might seem unlikely at first glance, but for many, it’s becoming an essential part of their professional and personal lives.
Across Northern Ireland, business professionals are increasingly turning to large-scale amateur theatre productions as a creative outlet. And far from being a distraction from their careers, many say the experience is actively enhancing their performance in the workplace.
A striking example can be found in the current cast of Guys and Dolls, produced by Belfast Operatic Company at the Grand Opera House. The four principal cast members are comprised of a solicitor, a classroom assistant, a BBC radio producer and an entertainment marketing manager, all balancing demanding careers with the rigorous rehearsal schedule of a major musical and reaping the rewards of the stress reliever and escapism it provides.
For Greg Fox, Entertainment Marketing Manager at Belfast’s Waterfront and Ulster Halls, the crossover between professional life and performance is very connected.
“Being on stage means I see the other side of my world, but there are similarities, in both, you’re communicating, telling stories and trying to connect with an audience,” he explains. “The difference is the setting, but the skills are very transferable.”
The idea that performance skills can enhance professional capability is increasingly recognised across industries. Confidence, communication, adaptability and emotional intelligence are all key attributes in both business and theatre.
For Naomi Smyth, who works as a classroom assistant supporting children with Special Educational Needs, performing offers a different but equally valuable kind of development.
“It challenges you in a completely different way,” she says. “You have to be present, responsive and fully engaged, and that carries over into how you approach your work.”
In high-pressure environments, the ability to think on your feet and respond to changing circumstances is critical. Theatre, particularly live performance, demands exactly that.
Dessie Havlin, an Assistant Producer at BBC Radio Ulster, believes that aspect is one of the most beneficial.
“Live performance teaches you to stay calm under pressure,” he says. “Things don’t always go to plan on stage, and you learn to adapt quickly, that’s a skill that translates directly into broadcasting and production work. In both scenarios I am having to think on my feet, it’s both fun and challenging.”
For solicitor Emiko Seawright, the benefits are as much about balance as they are about skill development.
“After a day in a very structured, analytical environment, rehearsal is a chance to switch off and engage a completely different part of your brain,” she says. “It’s incredibly refreshing.”
That contrast, between structured professional roles and the creative freedom of theatre, is a recurring theme.
In many corporate environments, decision-making is driven by logic, data and measurable outcomes. In theatre, while discipline and precision are still essential, there is space for experimentation, expression and play.
That balance is powerful.
“It gives you perspective,” Greg says. “You step outside your usual environment, and it helps you come back with a fresh mindset.”
There is also a strong argument that involvement in theatre enhances leadership skills. Rehearsal rooms are collaborative environments, where individuals must work together to achieve a shared goal. Trust, communication and mutual support are essential, qualities that mirror effective team dynamics in business.
“You’re part of something bigger than yourself,” Emiko says. “Everyone is working towards the same outcome, and you have to support each other to get there.”
That sense of collective purpose can be particularly valuable in professional settings, where performance metrics can sometimes dominate.
Beyond skills and performance, there is another factor at play and one that is equally, if not more important: wellbeing.
With increasing awareness of burnout and the importance of work-life balance, having a meaningful outlet outside of work is more important than ever.
For many, theatre provides exactly that.
“It’s something to look forward to,” Seawright says. “No matter how busy your day has been, you know you’re going into a space where you can be creative, have fun and be part of a community.”
That sense of community is often cited as one of the most rewarding aspects of amateur theatre. Unlike many professional environments, where relationships are shaped by hierarchy and structure, rehearsal rooms tend to foster a more equal, collaborative atmosphere.
“It’s a group of people who are there because they want to be,” Dessie says. “That creates a really positive environment.”
The scale of these productions also challenges assumptions about what “amateur” theatre looks like.
Companies like Belfast Operatic Company regularly stage productions at the Grand Opera House with full orchestras, bespoke sets and large casts — delivering performances that rival professional touring shows.
And yet, behind the scenes, the performers return to their day jobs.
That dual identity — professional by day, performer by night — is becoming an increasingly valuable asset.
In a business landscape that prizes creativity, adaptability and communication, the skills developed on stage are more relevant than ever.
Perhaps most importantly, it reminds us that professional success doesn’t have to come at the expense of personal passion.
As Greg puts it: “You can take your work seriously without losing the things you love doing. In fact, those are often the things that make you better at your job.”
As more professionals across Northern Ireland continue to step out of the office and onto the stage, it’s clear that the relationship between business and the arts is not only compatible, it’s also mutually beneficial.
Because sometimes, the best way to sharpen your performance at work… is to take centre stage.
Guys and Dolls runs from the 12th – 16th May at the Grand Opera House – Book your tickets now at www.goh.co.uk