Simpson Paper Company
1301 Fifth Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98101
(206) 224-5700
____________________________________
July 3, 1995
Dear Jonathan,
Thank you for the major contribution your troupe made to the success of our Turning Point Conference. We had a number of sensitive and difficult issues to deal with along with a heavy work agenda to get through in a short time frame. What we accomplished would not have been possible without TransFormance Theatre. Your method enabled us to work through some very challenging emotional issues while staying focused on our urgent business imperatives.
The drumming and singing interludes provided a much-needed release of tension, and a wonderful way of getting reconnected to each other. TT’s use of humor added a vital note of lightness to a very serious agenda. It helped us work through some very challenging material in a way that honored the difficulties without getting overshadowed by them. By combing emotional honesty with a sharp focus on the business issues, you helped us build strong commitment and buy-in to our new strategic initiatives rapidly. I think the use of your multi-modal learning techniques improv theatre and music disarmed resistance, and enabled us to accomplish much more, much faster than we could have through the more traditional cognitive approaches. People felt more engaged, included and nurtured than at previous meetings.
Your artist’s drawings added another inspiring and satisfying modality for acknowledging our people and supporting the new initiative we are undertaking. In this era of increasing complexity, time compression, uncertainty, and change TT’s use of the arts to deal with hard business issues is practical, effective, efficient and highly entertaining. We couldn’t have done it without you.
Sincerely,
CHARLES R. ZELLERBACH
Vice President & General Manager Commercial Printing & Publication