Teaching as a Performance
I have always considered teaching to be very much like a performance. Before entering the school, I often pause to do relaxation exercises to loosen up my face, making it easier to smile and putting myself in the mindset of stepping onto a stage. This mental preparation helps create an engaging atmosphere for students.
The Performance/Back Stage Model
You can get a clear picture of your school by looking at it from the perspective of The Performance/Back Stage Model. This model draws a parallel between the theater and the experience you create for your students in your school. When we see a live performance, we have a magical experience, captivated by powerful performance; the lights, the sounds, and the atmosphere. You want your school, like the theater, to create a positive and memorable experience for your students.
Creating a Unique Experience
The goal is to create a truly unique experience in which students, customers, and prospects see “The Performance” without seeing the “Back Stage” logistics. Everything you do in the Performance creates value for your students. Everything that happens in the Back Stage is designed to create and support the Performance.
The Role of Back Stage
Your goal with the MATA Masters’ System Generator is to create a tight Back Stage. In fact, we could call this the Back Stage Builder. Everything that happens Back Stage is designed to create a better Performance. Anything that happens Back Stage has to contribute to the Performance, or it must be eliminated.
Think about the people who are at work Back Stage at a show. You have lighting, sound, and stage technicians. Plus of course, you have performers. Would you ask your star performer to do the sound work for a Performance? Of course not. You wouldn’t do that anymore than having your sound guy play the part of the star for a Performance. You want everyone in the Back Stage to maximize their unique skills and strengths. You want the sound guy doing sound and the star mesmerizing your audience.
Evaluating Performance and Back Stage
Everything that happens during the Back Stage is judged and measured solely by the quality and success of the Performance. If the Performance is weak and gets bad reviews, people will stop attending and the show will close. If your system is weak and your people are not in positions of strength, then your classes will weaken, you’ll get bad reviews, and your school will close.
Conclusion
By adopting The Performance Experience Model, you ensure that your martial arts school offers an unforgettable experience for your students. This approach not only enhances student satisfaction but also streamlines operations, making your school more efficient and successful.