The Intersection of Public Health, Theater, and Leadership: Insights from Christina D. Eskridge
In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, finding innovative ways to build communities, foster mental wellness, and lead effectively is more important than ever. Christina D. Eskridge, founder of Elevate Theatre Company, offers a unique perspective on how public health and theater intersect to create meaningful impact. In a recent conversation, Christina shared her journey and valuable insights on leadership, storytelling, and the transformative power of the arts.
A Journey Rooted in Passion
Christina’s path began with a Master’s in Public Health and a passion for the performing arts. Initially working in hospital administration and healthcare consulting, she leveraged her expertise to support hospitals in aligning strategies and improving operations. However, her passion for theater persisted, leading her to explore the arts full-time.
The pivotal moment came during her performance in a sensory-friendly production for children with autism and their families. This experience illuminated the potential of theater as a tool for education, community building, and health promotion. “Theater is so much more than entertainment,” Christina shared. “We are going to provide folks with an improved quality of life, whether that be through the information and education, through the inspiration to action, or through the building of community and social support.”
The Role of Storytelling in Public Health and Leadership
Storytelling lies at the heart of Elevate Theatre Company’s mission. Christina emphasizes the importance of nonverbal storytelling—how posture, breath, and body language convey meaning and foster connection. She notes that developing “postural awareness” can enhance leadership skills, improve communication, and create a sense of psychological safety within teams.
“Breath is something we can use as punctuation. We can use it while we’re thinking,” Christina explains. “We do not have to immediately respond to something. We can then use our breath to say the next statement because we’ve had a moment to think.”
Building Psychological Safety Through Vulnerability
Creating psychological safety within teams is essential for fostering open communication and trust. This becomes even more critical in remote teams due to potential communication barriers and physical distance.
Leaders can nurture psychological safety by encouraging regular check-ins, using collaboration tools to keep everyone aligned, and fostering an inclusive culture where all voices are valued. Transparency and clear communication can help remote team members feel more connected and secure in expressing their thoughts and concerns.
Christina highlights the importance of modeling vulnerability as a leader. By sharing personal experiences and acknowledging challenges, leaders can create an environment where employees feel comfortable expressing themselves.
“If there is the off chance that someone is looking at you and they’re judging you, that is their issue. It has nothing to do with you, and it’s none of your business,” Christina says. “Empathy for your colleagues can grow when we are aware of something that we didn’t know before.”
Learn more about Christina’s unique perspective on the intersection of public health, theater, and leadership in our interview on YouTube.
