Tag: storytelling

The Broadway stage doesn’t just reflect life, it reshapes how we see ourselves, each other, and the possibilities that come with every new chapter. In a recent episode of Varsity’s podcast, Roundtable Talk, Derek sat down with Jerry Mitchell, two-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer, whose Broadway credits include Hairspray, Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, and most recently Boop and The Devil Wears Prada on London’s West End.

In their conversation, Derek and Jerry explored how live theater uniquely connects audiences across generations, and what it means to stay creatively relevant over a 45-year career. The following are some fresh perspectives from their conversation. Check out the full episode here.

HOW DO YOU SEE STORYTELLING IN THEATER SHAPING THE WAY PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THEIR OWN LIVES?

Well, theater has the great ability to bring people together in a dark space without anything to distract them. So everyone’s there to hear the same story at the same time. And when they leave the theater, they walk away with that story. It’s a very, very special and unique experience that can only happen with that particular group of people you happen to show up with. It’s a very powerful tool to communicate with people.

HAVE YOU NOTICED DIFFERENCES IN HOW YOUNGER AND OLDER AUDIENCES CONNECT TO YOUR WORK?

I find that audiences do connect in different ways. Young kids responded to a high school story in a way that was truly magical because they are living it. They were so much wiser to what was going on. And then the parents respond to the adult version—how do you care for a child who is different than you and you don’t have the tools? Watching parents and grandparents cry at that emotional journey is really wonderful.

WHAT KEEPS YOU MOTIVATED TO KEEP REINVENTING YOURSELF?

I’m inspired by people I’ve looked up to my entire life who are still working. Even those who are gone, their work still exists and I go back and watch it. But I’m also inspired by the younger generation and the way they see the world. Watching young performers have their Broadway debut is magical. I remember my own debut at 20. It was something I had worked toward, and when it happened, it was such a milestone.

HOW DOES CREATIVITY FUEL LONGEVITY, BOTH PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY?

I mean, it is what keeps you young, isn’t it? Being able to work. As a dancer and choreographer, my life is based on physical work. I’m in the studio or the gym. As I get older, I have great associates who do what I used to do, but I’m still very active. Dancers are athletes. The maintenance is part of your daily process. I’ve been doing it for 45 years on Broadway, and that physical engagement keeps you going.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT THE BODY’S ABILITY TO ADAPT OVER TIME?

The body is an incredible instrument that can do incredible things. What I’ve learned as I’ve aged is that diet and exercise work much better together than separate. The food you eat and how you fuel your body is as important as how you use it. That fuel will help you with longevity without question.

Three hundred conversations in, and the spirit of connection is stronger than ever! Varsity’s 300th weekly Roundtable featured yet another thoughtful exchange, this time with nationally recognized downsizing expert and former Hoarders host Matt Paxton. 

“Downsizing should be an opportunity to share your generational stories and move to a better life. It should not be this overwhelming daunting task,” said Paxton during his conversation with the group. 

As a guest on Varsity’s weekly Roundtable, Paxton talked about the emotional side of downsizing. Why it’s never really about the “stuff,” but about the memories and meaning behind it. He shared practical ways to help people move forward, from starting small to focusing on what truly matters, all while honoring the past. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from his discussion.

IT’S NEVER ABOUT THE STUFF, IT’S ABOUT THE STORY

What people hold onto isn’t clutter, it’s identity, memory and meaning. Until you address the emotional connection, you can’t unlock the move.

PEOPLE ARE STUCK BETWEEN PAST AND FUTURE

Many prospects aren’t resisting the move, they’re paralyzed by memories of the past and fear of making the wrong decision, keeping them from living in the present.

START SMALL TO BUILD MOMENTUM

Downsizing doesn’t begin with big decisions. It starts with small, non-emotional wins that create progress and confidence to keep going.

DON’T RECREATE THE OLD LIFE, CREATE A NEW ONE

The goal isn’t to replicate a former home inside a community. It’s to embrace a new chapter, new space and new experiences.

MOST “VALUABLE” ITEMS AREN’T ACTUALLY VALUABLE

Families often overestimate resale value. Outside of things like gold, most furniture and household items have limited financial return.

SERVICE AND TRUST DRIVE EVERYTHING

Whether working with residents or prospects, success comes from leading with empathy, building trust and helping people move forward, not just moving their stuff.

Varsity’s Roundtable is a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here.

QUOTES

“Theater has the great ability to bring people together in a dark space without anything to distract them. So everyone’s there to hear the same story at the same time. And when they leave the theater, they walk away with that story.” (Jerry)

“Live theater is a very, very special and unique experience that can only happen with that particular group of people you happen to show up with for the same performance.” (Jerry)

“I looked into her eyes and I saw a 19-year-old. She was so eager to be the best that she could be, even at that age. Here’s this young choreographer, and she was willing to listen and take the notes because I was out front watching.” (Jerry)

“Making musicals is like fishing with a net. You throw it into the sea. If it comes back with a lot of fish, you’re going to have success. But if it comes back half empty, you’re not going to run very long.” (Jerry)

“There are more letters in the word business than there are in show. My mom always used to say, it’s our job to get them to come back tomorrow.” (Jerry)

“By giving to my community and creating a safe space and raising money with the help of millions of other dancers and creative artists, that philanthropic event gave me a career.” (Jerry)

“Michael Bennett used to say to me, don’t wait for the muses. Just show up and do the work. And really, that’s what it is. It’s about showing up.” (Jerry)

“The food that you eat, how you fuel your body, is as important as how you use your body to exercise and express itself. The fuel will actually help you in the longevity, without question.” (Jerry)

“When people are in physical spaces together, they are actually doing a dance not to bump into each other. And patterns start to emerge.” (Jerry)

“Finding space for those stories is important, because along with them comes a lot of young, new artists that have new voices. And we need those voices.” (Jerry)

“My relationships with my younger creative artists fuel me as much as I’m giving them advice and fueling them. It’s a give and take, there’s no question.” (Jerry)

“Patience. Patience is the one thing that so many young artists have to learn.” (Jerry)

NOTES

Jerry Mitchell is a two-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer known for shaping iconic Broadway productions like Hairspray, Kinky Boots, and Legally Blonde. With a career spanning decades, he has built a reputation for blending storytelling, movement and emotion to create memorable theatrical experiences.

Beyond his creative work, Jerry is deeply involved in the Broadway community, contributing as a mentor, collaborator and philanthropist. His leadership and influence extend across generations of performers and creators, helping shape both the art and business of theater.

Jerry is also the creator of Broadway Bares, a long-running fundraising initiative that has generated over $30 million for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. His philanthropic impact earned him the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award, recognizing his commitment to community and giving back.

Live theater creates a shared experience that connects audiences in a way no other medium can.

Great performances evolve over time, with shows becoming stronger and more refined as actors fully inhabit their roles.

Different generations engage with stories in unique ways, often reflecting their own personal experiences and perspectives.

Success in creative work comes from consistently showing up and putting in the effort.

Strong collaboration is essential, requiring alignment, trust and a shared vision to bring ideas to life.

Mentorship is a two-way exchange, where experienced artists and younger talent learn from each other.

Staying relevant requires adapting to changing audiences and understanding what resonates across generations.

Patience is a critical ingredient for long-term growth, especially for those early in their careers.

When a senior living community embraces healthcare as part of its brand—not something to distance itself from—it unlocks a competitive advantage many organizations overlook. That idea set the tone for this week’s conversation on Varsity’s weekly Roundtable, where we were joined by Michael Whitlow, VP of Sales & Marketing Services at Greystone Communities.

Michael offered a candid look at what it really takes to market the healthcare end of the continuum, from building trust through honest guidance to strengthening referral partnerships and owning your role as the local expert. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from his discussion.

BE THE EXPERT, EVEN WHEN THE ANSWER IS “NOT HERE”

Recommendation is part of the job, even if that means sending a family somewhere else. Guiding people to the right fit builds long-term credibility, reputation and referrals that no ad campaign can buy.

OUTREACH IS A DISCIPLINE, NOT A PERSONALITY TYPE

The best outreach pros aren’t the chattiest, they’re the most consistent. Give the role to someone methodical, organized and scheduled for at least two solid days a week — and watch partnerships, not just “activity,” grow.

MAKE STORYTELLING YOUR MOST VALUABLE SERVICE LINE

Video testimonials, resident ambassadors and even stories from those who’ve passed on are powerful tools to humanize healthcare. Done thoughtfully, these narratives soften fear, honor lives and make the continuum feel like a promise, not a threat.

DON’T LET STAR RATINGS DO ALL THE TALKING

A CMS rating can make or break hospital networks, but it’s not the whole story for families. Celebrate the five stars, but also equip your team to explain the dips, put them in context and reassure partners that quality — not just a score — is being managed.

Varsity’s Roundtable is a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here. 

Every community has amenities. Every community has services. But not every community has a voice—a distinct personality that captures who they are and why people belong there. During our latest Roundtable, Rob Smith, Varsity’s Executive Creative Director, explored how to uncover and amplify that voice to create deeper, more authentic connections with prospects and residents.

Rob shared strategies for identifying the traits that make your community truly one of a kind and how to express that identity through storytelling, archetypes, and consistent messaging. His insights highlighted how clarity of voice can transform marketing from transactional to emotional, helping communities stand out in a crowded senior living marketplace. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from his discussion. 

UNIQUE COMMUNITY IDENTITY

To stand out in a competitive market, it’s crucial to identify and showcase the unique traits and experiences that define your community. This distinct personality helps capture the attention of potential residents and differentiates you from competition.

ENGAGING STORYTELLING

Highlighting your community’s authentic voice through compelling stories about residents, staff, and interactions helps create deep emotional connections with prospective residents. This narrative approach is essential in turning initial interest into lasting relationships.

ARCHETYPES FOR BRAND DEPTH

Incorporating Jungian archetypes into your brand strategy helps dimensionalize and enrich your community’s voice. Choosing the right archetype or combination can powerfully convey your community’s core values and aspirations to potential residents.

DYNAMIC BRAND POSITIONING

Through qualitative engagement with community leadership and archetype exploration, identify not only what your community is today but also its future potential. Craft an authentic, aspirational brand positioning that distinguishes your community in the marketplace and resonates deeply with your target audience.

Varsity’s Roundtable is a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here.

Recently, we were honored to welcome Margit Novak as a presenter at Varsity’s weekly Roundtable gathering. Margit is an author and speaker who’s widely recognized as the founder of the senior move management industry.

Margit’s award-winning memoir – Squint: Re-visioning the Second Half of Life – is a profound and memorable personal reflection on the abundant possibilities of later life. In her presentation, she shared some of those reflections with the Roundtable group and showed us how to harness our storytelling superpower and use it to create more effective marketing communications. 

Here’s a look at a few of the lessons from Margit’s presentation: 

STORYTELLING: HARNESSING YOUR SUPERPOWER

Margit emphasized that stories are meant to inspire, not serve as factual reports. They aim to teach, persuade, and be memorable. She highlighted that stories can be powerful tools in client interactions and speaking engagements, such as “meet the author” events. These events attract people who may be hesitant about the idea of moving but are open to a more casual, storytelling environment.

Whether using others’ stories or developing your own, storytelling can be a superpower in connecting with clients. Margit noted that although storytelling is currently a hot topic, its popularity is due to its proven effectiveness.

HOW STORYTELLING CAN ENHANCE CLIENT INTERACTIONS

Margit offered storytelling tips for enhancing client interactions:

1. Focus on the Essence: When incorporating stories, avoid overloading them with details. Only include elements that contribute to the atmosphere or message. If details don’t add value, they may distract from the core message. Emphasize what’s most memorable rather than trying to recall every original detail.
2. Deliver with Intention: Great stories need great delivery, which doesn’t happen by accident. Effective storytellers review their stories and practice using vocal effects—such as pauses, volume changes, and repetition—to enhance impact. These techniques should be more pronounced in storytelling than in everyday conversation to captivate the audience.
3. Repurpose and Retell Stories: Stories are meant to be adapted and shared. If a story resonates, feel free to retell it, adjust details, or make it your own. This flexibility allows for stories to remain engaging and relevant in various contexts.

Varsity’s Roundtable is a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here.