Finding My Stage

Growth doesn’t stop at the office door. For me, it’s about finding spaces where I can challenge myself, connect with others, and build confidence in ways that spill over into my professional life. Community theatre has been that space for me. It’s more than a hobby; it’s a passion that keeps me learning and growing every day.

Stepping Into the Spotlight

I’m deeply involved in the community theatre scene in Adelaide, South Australia, as an actor. Over the course of a year, I usually perform in about three productions across the city, ranging from comedies to dramas to musicals. Each show means two to three months of rehearsals, three times a week, before we put on a two-week run at a local theatre.

Since 2017, I’ve been part of 21 productions, and I’m always looking forward to the next one. Most recently, I was proud to be involved in Radium Girls, a play based on the heartbreaking true story of young women in 1920s New Jersey who painted radium onto watch dials, only to fall gravely ill.

How Theatre Fuels My Growth at Gallagher

Performing has shaped who I am, not just on stage, but as a Gallagher Bassett colleague. Every production teaches me how to build strong team bonds quickly. Each cast is different, and we only have a few months to become a cohesive unit that delivers the best show possible.

The stories I tell on stage help me step into the shoes of different characters and understand their motivations. That experience builds empathy, which I bring to every interaction at work. And then there’s confidence. There’s nothing quite like performing to a full house to give you the courage to tackle challenges head-on.

Why I Started and Why I Keep Going

I’ve always loved performing. Growing up, I was the kid putting on silly songs and sketches for family and classmates. I gave it up during university to focus on my studies, but when I graduated, I needed something to fill that creative gap.

That’s when I found a local theatre group auditioning for 9 to 5: The Musical. I managed a decent Texan accent and landed the role of Dolly Parton’s husband. From that moment, the thrill of performing and the rush of that final bow became addictive.

Today, theatre is my outlet, a safe space to let go of the day’s worries and dive into the life of a character. It’s an experience I wouldn’t trade for the world.

For me, theatre isn’t just about acting. It’s about confidence, empathy, and teamwork, skills that make me better at what I do every day at Gallagher. Growth for the go-getter means finding opportunities to learn and evolve, wherever they are. For me, that’s under the stage lights.