Gen Y Speaks: Being an events manager has been challenging. Here’s how my background in theatre helps

Since my childhood, the thrill of performing has been everything to me. I remember the first time I stepped onto the stage at age 10, heart pounding as I made my debut. The rush before going on stage, the bright lights, and the applause weren’t just moments; they were what defined my younger years.
At the age of 18, I did a musical called Fame, which turned out to be one of the most unforgettable productions I have ever been a part of. It was my first time taking on a lead role where I had to act, sing and dance live in front of an audience.
The rehearsals were gruelling, going for six hours at a time up to four times a week, but I enjoyed the camaraderie with the cast and crew. Working with different actors, musicians and dancers to deliver an exceptional performance brought me tremendous joy and fulfilment.  
Later in my teenhood, I started to wonder about the possibility of pursuing a career doing what I love, but I was apprehensive about going into theatre full-time as I wasn’t sure if my interests would change down the road.
While I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to do, I chanced upon the Diploma in Integrated Events Management course offered by Republic Polytechnic. From a tender age, I would volunteer to help plan and execute events at school and at home, including class fundraisers, sports day, birthday parties and even weddings.  
It never felt like a chore as I derived immense joy and satisfaction seeing how pleased my family and friends were with how well the events turned out.
Although the diploma wasn’t directly related to theatre, it resonated with me nonetheless. I felt that the course could potentially provide an avenue to integrate my passion for the arts into a broader framework.
As I delved deeper into the course, I began to notice parallels between theatre and events management.
In theatre, I was trained to be adept at improvisation so as to respond to unexpected situations that can occur during a performance. This ability to think on my feet and be resourceful proved useful when I was learning how to plan large-scale events — particularly, for example, in moments where clients would spring last-minute requests on us, expecting us to deliver.
Upon entering the world of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE), it became clear to me that MICE, like theatre, takes an entire village to pull off. From those who set the vision for the event, to the marketing teams that spread the word to the right people, and the tech experts who enable everything to run smoothly, every role is crucial.
There are times when things can get hectic, especially when I have to manage multiple events simultaneously, but the feeling of pride and accomplishment I get when the event wraps up successfully makes it all worthwhile.
It reminds me of the long hours I used to spend at theatre rehearsals, culminating in enthusiastic applause from audiences. It soon became clear to me that when you are doing something you love, you are more than willing to put in the hours to ensure everything turns out perfect.
While applause from a crowd is rarely in the cards for coordinators, the satisfaction of seeing an event come together is akin to receiving a standing ovation on opening night.
While highly fulfilling, the job is not without its challenges.
After more than seven years in the industry, I have encountered my fair share of roadblocks and obstacles, many of which I am grateful for as they have made me step out of my comfort zone.
The recent pandemic for one, provided my team and I the chance to pivot and adapt to the changing nature of conferences. For a client’s new product launch, we learnt how to organise our first hybrid event with an international audience. Due to Covid restrictions, we could only have about 120 people attend the physical event here in Singapore, while another 200 attended virtually from Shenzhen, China.
Figuring out how to keep guests engaged while abiding by safe distancing protocols was a challenge, but our hard work paid off: Our clients were very pleased with the turnout, and our delegates were also very impressed by how smoothly the event went.
Another aspect of my job I really appreciate is being able to cross paths with professionals from all walks of life, from logistics experts and hospitality professionals to tech specialists and artists. Through my work, I have met people from all over the world — Canada, Austria, Japan and more. This has provided me valuable learning opportunities and expanded my perspectives.
One of the most impactful memories of my MICE career was at a pharmaceutical conference I helped organise here in Singapore.
Witnessing some of the world’s brightest minds come together to share about their game-changing innovations, each of which had the potential to save countless lives, I was struck by the realisation that this was only possible because of the work my team and I had poured into the event.
This was just one of many moments that motivate me to keep making a meaningful difference through my work.
No two events are the same, much like no two theatre performances are the same. Each event, like each stage performance, has its own unique story, challenges and triumphs.
Finding a career that is enjoyable and fulfilling isn’t easy, but I’ve learnt that unexpected fields can offer the best of both worlds.
Whatever journey you choose, the friendships forged along the way also make it a lot more meaningful – some of the people I crossed paths with during my theatre days remain some of my closest friends today.
If I could somehow send a message to my younger self who was torn between my dreams and reality, I’d say this: Life has a way of surprising you. Keep an open mind, embrace every opportunity, and you might find a path that not only aligns with your passion, but also offers a world of experiences you never imagined.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ash Abdullah, 29, is a project manager and event organiser at International Conference Services.