Meet Sid Gunasekaran | CEO of Staging Success & DECA ICDC Competitor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sid Gunasekaran and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sid, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Leadership has always come naturally to me. People place their trust and faith in me to do a stellar job, and I respond with gratitude and dedication to my leadership style. In a high school of over 3,000 students, I serve as the Student Council President, a role that keeps me deeply connected to my school and local community. But my leadership extends far beyond the school gates. As one of just six International Thespian Officers in the world, I represent the world’s largest performing arts organization, with over 400,000 active members in 17 countries, balancing local responsibilities with international obligations, all while collaborating with dream companies like Disney and iHeartRadio. Impressive? Maybe. A privilege and a responsibility? Absolutely.

Growing up in a South Asian Tamil household, academics were always front and center. Like many from our community, my parents nudged me towards “safe” career paths—the well-trodden avenues of medicine, engineering, and law. However, I always felt that it was entirely possible to find both financial stability and creative fulfillment all at the same time. This belief challenged the conventional norms of my community and catalyzed the launching of my nonprofit organization, Staging Success.

Staging Success isn’t your run-of-the-mill nonprofit. We’re an impact-driven enterprise that uses sharp business strategies to address cultural issues. We leverage market research, fiscal responsibility, and strategic planning—skills I honed as a three-time State Finalist in Texas’ DECA competitions and as a top-ranking competitor globally. We’ve designed a model that doesn’t just do good; it does good efficiently and sustainably, combining data-driven scholarships and targeted mentorship to create a sustainable model for supporting the arts.

The impact of Staging Success goes beyond simply providing financial assistance; we are life-changers and barrier-breakers. We offer mentorship from industry professionals and provide platforms for budding artists to showcase their talents. We don’t just give; we empower. Our initiatives create a virtuous cycle: today’s beneficiaries are set on a path to become tomorrow’s benefactors, thanks to a business-forward approach to nonprofit management.

Why do all this? My love for theatre has been more than just a creative outlet; it’s been a transformative journey that has immensely boosted my confidence and public speaking abilities. I realized that these invaluable life skills gained from the arts deserved to be accessible to everyone—especially those from my community, where such pursuits often have a stigma. My leadership roles have afforded me a unique platform and a heightened sense of responsibility to enact change. Leveraging my proficiency in business strategies, I founded Staging Success to fuse my passion for the arts with impactful community service.

We’re on a mission to show that art isn’t merely a side hobby or a risky career path; it’s a gateway to personal and professional growth, a cornerstone for building well-rounded individuals. And we’re not stopping at just creating opportunities; we’re instilling the belief that the arts can offer personal fulfillment and financial stability. With a fine-tuned strategy and an unwavering passion, we’re turning these dreams into attainable, rewarding, and sustainable realities. Welcome to Staging Success, where the impact is as profound as it is transformative.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The path to where I am today hasn’t been an easy one; it’s been paved with challenges, both external and internal. Coming from a community where artistic endeavors were often looked down upon, it took a tremendous amount of courage to deviate from the socially accepted norms. There were times when I felt discouraged by the lack of understanding or support. However, these challenges only fortified my resolve. With every stumble, I learned important lessons—the power of resilience, the importance of authenticity, and above all, the need for empathy.

The craziest moment of my performace journey, was being on stage during Lyric Stage’s annual “Schmidt and Jones High School Musical Theatre Awards” Being nominated itself was a milestone, but standing on a Broadway-sized stage, feeling the lights on my face and the audience’s energy fueling my performance—that was a revelation. For the first time, all the trials, the setbacks, and the naysayers faded into the background. I was honored as one of the best in high school theatre, and it felt like a vindication of my artistic journey.

That experience crystallized something essential for me: I want others to have that same electrifying moment, to feel the magic of their art being recognized and celebrated. It fortified my resolve to create platforms for young artists, helping them to not just dream, but to live those dreams. That night on stage wasn’t just a personal triumph; it became the driving force behind my larger mission to democratize the arts. And let me tell you, once you’ve tasted that kind of affirmation, you’re not just content to soar alone—you become committed to elevating others along with you.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Morning: Energize and Immerse 8:00 am: Breakfast at ‘Ascension Coffee’
Kickstart the day with Ascension’s famed avocado toast and artisanal coffee. The café itself is a microcosm of Dallas’ modern sensibilities.
9:30 am: Dallas Museum of Art
Head to the Arts District and immerse yourself in the diverse and expansive collection at the Dallas Museum of Art. Whether it’s European impressionism or ancient Mayan art, the museum is a haven of artistic treasures that offers a global perspective.
Midday: Fair Park Exploration
11:30 am: Journey to Fair Park
Make your way to Fair Park, a national historic landmark. Here, architecture and art deco sculptures offer a visual treat before you even set foot in a museum.
12:00 pm: Texas Discovery Gardens
Take a leisurely stroll through this organic garden, featuring native Texas butterflies and plants. It’s art by Mother Nature, framed in a serene setting.
1:00 pm: Lunch at Fair Park
Grab lunch from a local food vendor. Fair Park often hosts food trucks serving everything from gourmet sliders to Texas BBQ.
Afternoon: A Broadway Affair
2:30 pm: Broadway in Dallas Matinee at Winspear Opera House
No art tour of Dallas would be complete without experiencing its live performances. Catch a Broadway matinee show at the elegant Winspear Opera House. Feel the exhilaration of world-class talent bringing stories to life on stage.
Evening: Music and Fine Dining
6:00 pm: Dinner at ‘Pecan Lodge’
Treat yourself to some well-deserved Texas BBQ at this iconic Deep Ellum spot.
8:00 pm: Dallas Symphony Orchestra at Meyerson Symphony Center
Conclude your arts tour with a captivating performance by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. The Meyerson’s exceptional acoustics will make it a soul-stirring experience.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I can’t let this moment pass without tipping my hat to an extraordinary mentor who has been instrumental in shaping my journey: Mrs. Karen Ruth. This incredible woman wasn’t just one of my earliest theatre directors; she was the gateway to my love for the arts and a masterclass in leadership. With her, I quickly learned that leadership isn’t just a title you wear; it’s a mantle you earn through mutual respect and tireless dedication. Mrs. Ruth embodies these qualities like no other. Her work ethic is unmatched, her kindness is a force of nature, and her reliability is the stuff of legends. In short, she’s the epitome of everything a mentor should be, and I owe an incalculable debt of gratitude to her. If I stand tall today, it’s because I’ve been uplifted by her unwavering support and love.

Website: staging-success.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stagingsuccess/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/sid-gunasekaran