OGL 481 Pro-Seminar I:

PCA-Symbolic Frame Worksheet

Worksheet Objectives:
1. Describe the symbolic frame
2. Apply the symbolic frame to your personal case situation

Complete the following making sure to support your ideas and cite from the textbook and other
course materials per APA guidelines. After the peer review, you have a chance to update this and
format for your Electronic Portfolio due in Module 6.

1) Briefly restate your situation from Module 1 and your role.

I was an assistant director on the 2022 summer musical at Paradise Valley Community
College. There were difficulties and numerous situations to maneuver, including COVID
related issues, peer conflict, ambiguous management, and a lack of
transparency/accountability among the cast and crew in reference to the director.

2) Describe how the symbols of the organization influenced the situation.

While not a symbol at first glance, the COVID-19 epidemic massively influenced the
production. Among other shows that were supposed to perform during the 2019-2020
season, the summer musical was postponed as well. The symbol of the epidemic was one
of fear, uncertainty, and a massive blow to the arts industry. It caused the fine arts
department at PVCC to find ways to facilitate creative outlets for students online. For
example, students already cast in upcoming shows that were postponed were encouraged
to do some online work and test the waters of what could be done virtually.

Fast forward to the beginning of the show in May 2022, the most present symbol
influencing the show was the symbolic presence of winning. This show was always going
to be a summer musical. However, a “rival” community college decided to do the same
show in the spring, even though we secured the rights over two years beforehand. It made
the director and everyone who has been anxious to perform this show furious at first, but
shortly unified everyone in a sense. The members of the production wanted to put on a
better show than the other college did. This proves what is said in Reframing
Organizations: Artistry, Choice, and Leadership. “All personell are driven by the desire
to be a part of a winning organization” (Bolman & Deal, 2021).

3) Recommend how you would use organizational symbols for an alternative course of
action regarding your case.

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 Unlike the previous frames, I was fortunate to be a part of a production that had a
supplemental amount of symbols within the organization. There were positive symbols
through the desire to win, as well as the role that I tried my best to fill. In the beginning
stages of the production, my active responsibilities were rather ambiguous as previously
mentioned in other PCA documents. I ended up being dubbed the “dad” of the show by
some of the cast and crew. The nickname came to fruition after one of the leads
complained of being hungry and having a headache. Seeing that the rehearsal was going
to run for several hours, I ordered Taco Bell for her and everyone. It turned the long
rehearsal into a fun mini party.

That night served as a catalyst for the members of the show. They saw me as someone
they could come to and get results from in a timely manner. Reflecting back, there were
several times where either the director or certain cast members would see me, rush over
to me, and say something along the lines of “thank goodness you’re here” or “oh, I can
relax now.” I do not mean to pat myself on the back, but after looking back, I can now
see that I was a little bit of a symbol.

4) Reflect on what you would do or not do differently given what you have learned
about this frame.

As far as what I would not do differently, the promotion of the winning spirit would stay
as it was. This facilitated a “prove them wong” mindset within the minds of everyone
involved, as the rival college had a longer rehearsal schedule, a larger pool of students to
choose from, and a larger budget. These challenges were obstacles that the director and I
were worried would hinder the production’s overall quality, but I was pleasantly
surprised. The production members exceeded expectations in this way, which was proven
by not only receiving 6 nominations in various categories for AriZoni awards (which are
essentially Arizona Tony awards for local theatres), but winning 1 as well.

I would however have liked to utilize my influence a little more. I could have elevated
my performance and the performance of others if I had used it to push the cast and crew
to reach new heights. I only recently realized how much influence I had when I reflected
back during this assignment, and I confirmed my hypothesis of having unknown
influence when I reached out to the cast and the director. Looking back, it was good that I
maintained humility, but it another sense it blinded me from being as effective as I could
have been.

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 Reference

Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (2021). Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice, and
Leadership. Jossey-Bass, a Wiley Brand.