Breaking Down Walls (Literally)

Annalise Harris

3.24.20

When I imagined my first day at my internship, I did not imagine cleaning up broken drywall.

My first day at IETM was unlike any other day in the office. Right before the winter break, the team had decided to redecorate the office. With that came the destruction of the walls of a room within the office. For some reason, while the construction team tore down the wall, it was our job to actually clean it up. Clumps of broken drywall, concrete, and glass covered the floor while desks were shoved in corners covered in white cloth and dust. It was daunting, but we all donned our gloves and masks (who knew how precious those would become) and got to work.

IETM is much more than drywall. As a matter of fact, it has absolutely nothing to do with the events of my first day. IETM is a network for contemporary performing artists around the world. Members range from well-known theatres to small freelancers. Through publications and meetings, we hope to provide a platform for all forms of contemporary artists to discuss the issues that affect them. Additionally, through these processes we act as an intermediary between artists and governments, pushing for legislation that promotes the arts and culture.

As an organization recognizing contemporary performing artists, IETM strives to be on top of the current trends. With that not only comes the obvious, such as social media, but the not so obvious as well. IETM truly encompasses the ideas of a successful modern workplace. Physically, the office is clean and open with lots of seating space for open collaboration. Replacing cubicles are sleek white desks that allow for personalization and openness. It is not uncommon to hear two people having a conversation across the room not even leaving their desks. It is not just the physical area that gives the office its strength. With only eight people, it is easy to get to know everyone. With that came a sense of community and the feeling of needing to care for each other's wellbeing. Monthly meetings with the other organizations on the hall allowed for coworkers to learn about each other in more personal ways and further fostered a sense of community. From name games to meditation, these team-bonding activities were incredibly beneficial to the wellbeing of the office and my own growth.

The view from my desk, the sun came throught the office perfectly!

It was comforting to have a first day that wasn't focused on learning the ins-and-outs of office life, but rather getting to know the people I would be working with. Getting to know them all made me feel more comfortable in the workplace, in extension making me more comfortable in confronting the team with my ideas and issues. I feel like picking up the broken drywall on my first day was a metaphor of sorts. I was getting to know my colleagues, getting a sense of the office, and breaking down my own barriers built out of anxiety. We laughed and worked and made a connection as a group that was essential to my growth in the workplace.

My own desk! You can see in the background how open the office layout is.