Business Badgers Who ... Take the Stage
“I play French horn in a community band. It trains me to look for ways I can contribute to the group. It’s a physical, emotional, and spiritual outlet for me.”
— Carl D. Smith (BBA ’79)
“I am a theater artist based in Madison. I think real, live people telling stories is a very powerful thing. Acting has made me more confident and comfortable in a variety of ways, from speaking in front of groups to interacting with individuals and clients.”
— David Pausch (M.A. ’03)
“I perform in Verona (Wisconsin) Area Community Theatre (VACT) musicals with my wife, kids, and friends. My effectiveness, whether it be in an interview, in front of a customer/prospect, or trying to convince a work colleague of a new idea, has been greatly improved through my experience on the stage. My level of comfort and confidence has never been higher.”
—Jeff Vilker (BBA ’95)
“Performing helps me access different parts of myself—I am often a reserved person, but I can be colorful, loud, vulnerable, whimsical, or silly on stage.”
— Kari Dickinson
(M.A. ’04)
“I’ve been dancing since I was five years old and started competing in ballroom after college. Performing in front of an audience provides me with a natural energy. There is something special about looking out into the audience and connecting with each person, letting them know that this moment is just for them; it is a magical familiarity that you don’t create in any other way. Improving my performance on the dance floor also improved my performance in board meetings, networking events, and when I facilitate at training and speaking events.”
—Nicole Nelson (BBA ’03, MACC ’04)
“I’m the lead singer in a string band (bluegrass, traditional folk). I like performing because it feels like sharing. Through it, I have left my lifelong shyness and fear of public speaking behind. My career as a CPA required mostly working in my head; performing arts require the whole body and the mind-body connection, which is physically and mentally more challenging and healthy.”
—Judith Christianson (BBA ’73)
