We were lucky to catch up with Devaughn Robinson recently and have shared our conversation below.

DeVaughn, appreciate you joining us today. Have you ever had an amazing boss, mentor or leader leading you? Can you us a story or anecdote that helps illustrate why this person was such a great leader and the impact they had on you or their team?

I have been very privileged to work with many amazing people on some very amazing projects throughout my life and through some of those times. I’ve been led by those amazing people. Space.

One of the more impactful, bosses and job experiences that I had was working for my old middle school when I was just coming out of college and trying to figure out what I was going to do. The reason this was a bit more impactful for me not only is it the nostalgia of being able to work for your own school , but also the amount of support I received from that school as a child. Ultimately help pay my career. This was the same school that allowed me to bring my fellow seventh and eighth graders to a play. I had written for a student festival at Carnegie Mellon University and the same school that bought me a MacBook laptop to write a school show so the opportunity to come back was more than I could’ve deserved at that moment.

What was even greater about coming back? Wasn’t just having a chance to interact with a place in people who I had known years before, but also gave me an opportunity to work with one of my favorite people and bosses Dennis Henderson. The amazing thing about working closely with him as an administrative assistant was that 10 years prior, just my history teacher. Although I did not quite know what I was getting myself into at the time and certainly did not have the experience on hand. My boss Dennis saw something more in me than I did at the time. At this time the school was developing a project, based learning curriculum in this involved, jumping into a new paradigm for teachers and other related staff. So although it was an intense time, his leadership made it seem like there was a reason for the intensity, and that we would all see the impact of helping drive this change for students.

As many would imagine this sometimes create tension, but what I loved was how every day no matter how I felt or any teacher felt. Dennis was always committed to jumping into the new paradigm and it really taught me what is even required to do something new that people haven’t seen before. The reluctance, the doubt that can often accompany doing new things. I learned here at that job that there’s a reason we do new things and it’s not just to do new things but it’s ultimately to make things better. A principal I have taken throughout my career.

As someone who’s been able to make connections and make someone of a living through ideas one other thing I also learned from that boss is the only way to make the changes to be a part of it. Although creating project based learning curriculum for everyone was the goal, I loved how Dennis was never above talking to a student specifically about what the curriculum can mean for them and what they may want to do. He was really good at bringing people into the change and I think this is so important. From designing curriculums schedules and coordinating partnerships this position was a godsend and really gave me some of the early skills that I didn’t realize I would use later.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

The way I mainly got into mostly everything that I do now is through theater. My experiences in theatre drive a lot of what I do a DreamTheatre(@dreamxtheatre) as we seek to provide a different template for what a modern theater company can be and can do. I think we are in a interesting stage right now because still so much of the company is still being defined. What we’re trying to offer to the theater community is that there are ways in other elements of popular culture that go unrecognized and underutilized by the theater community. Elements that still have to be embraced. Ultimately, we feel our vision provides a unique position given the range of expertise and interests, that the company can become a resource for theatre companies presently and into the future. That’s what DreamTheatre is all about.

Without theatre, I also would not have found the local event industry and would not have began the amazing work I have been able to do with Make Sure You Have Fun™(@makesureyouhavefun) over 7+ years.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I think one of the most special things about being an artist and especially applies to my career, but I think apply to many careers is freedom. I know that sounds pretty generic, but true freedom is when you allow your creativity, your authentic self pursuit to be the hallmark that leads you in life and in your career. Whether you’re freelance or work for a corporation in some creative capacity, the freedom to be authentic that is involved does not really exist in many other disciplines. This is what makes it most special.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

The two books I would reference initially are “Start With Why” by Simon Sinek and “Creativity Inc.” by Ed Catmull. Also, I would just say to to find people that not only you connect with personally, but if they’re public figure people whose work that you agree with and more importantly have done it in a way that you agree with I think finding those people studying them and listening to them is one of the best resources that one can do. There are many things that go into leading a team starting a new project and there are many ways to go about those things so I think finding your way is the most important and hopefully these resources can help you think about that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://posh.vip/g/makesureyouhavefun
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamxtheatre/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@makesureyouhavefun

Image Credits

Dak Wan