Did you know that when I am not coding, I am bellydancing?

Last month I attended the New York Bellydance Festival and won tickets to a cabaret show called “Moonrise,” during which I had a big aha moment about my project management process.

The show was created by world-renowned performance artist Lara Jacobs Rigolo and the Rigolo Swiss Nouveau Cirque.

This goddess-themed production beautifully incorporated aerial acts with elements of water, fire, and earth. Being in such an intimate venue allowed me to observe the performers and stagehands in action and appreciate how much effort goes into producing a show of this caliber.

The finale featured Lara Jacobs Rigolo performing an incredible balancing act where she created a beautiful sculpture. She couldn’t have done it without the intense focus of her stagehands. The connection between the performer and her supporters was palpable, with energy flowing outward to embrace the audience. It was truly extraordinary to witness.

A Developer’s Perspective: It’s a Balancing Act

As a web developer, this performance resonated with me. The precision required for Lara’s balancing act mirrors the careful architecture we build into our code—each component dependent on every other, requiring meticulous placement and testing. One misaligned element can cause the entire structure to collapse.

The collaboration I witnessed between performer and stagehands reminded me of the best development teams I’ve worked with. Great digital products, like great performances, require both visible stars and invisible support systems working in harmony. The frontend may get the applause, but without a solid backend infrastructure and thorough QA, the experience falls apart.

After the show, I reflected on two things: first, how many incredibly talented creative people there are in New York, and second, the various development projects I’ve worked on throughout my career. What makes a project successful? It’s never just one person, but rather a team of designers, developers, project managers, and stakeholders all playing crucial roles. I just love building success projects when everyone is in sync.

Many thanks to Samantha Diaz for the tickets! Moonrise was spectacular!

What performance or experience has inspired your professional approach lately?