Since its inception in 2000, Shaking the Tree has crafted compelling family narratives that serve as powerful catalysts for meaningful family meetings, client engagements, and industry conferences.
Furthermore, Shaking the Tree revolutionizes advisor training by replacing traditional methods like written case studies and role-playing with a more immersive and engaging approach.
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We work with a wide variety of organizations including....
- Private Families
- Financial Services Firms
- Industry Associations
- Philanthropic and Fundraising Organizations
- Educational Organizations
For each partner, we work with your team to develop facilitation, grounded in our Living Case Studies, to meet the objectives of the meeting or event. Contact us to explore how we might partner on your next meeting or event.
Contact UsWhat is a Living Case Study?
Talking about wealth and how to use it effectively raises personal and family issues involving identity, status, legacy, communication, and interpersonal dynamics. Developing objectivity, seeing different perspectives, and considering potential solutions can be difficult.
That’s why Shaking the Tree developed The Living Case Study as a pathway to exploring such emotional issues as family business succession, corporate governance in family enterprises, trustee/beneficiary relations, family decision-making, and the responsibility of inherited wealth, including philanthropy. Through the combined use of professional theater and expert facilitation,Â
The Living Case Study generates meaningful and open discussion on the real impact of the choices made and actions taken by individuals and families of substantial resources.
It’s not just a story. Each Living Case Study serves as a starting point to explore what just happened, what could still happen, and what might have happened differently.
Work with Us
Experience the Unforgettable
Live Theatrical Productions by Shaking the Tree
Engage your audience with immersive performances that go beyond entertainment. Our dynamic productions are perfect for:
- Private Events: Elevate private family meetings, client or member events with a vibrant theatrical experience.
- Industry Events: Make a lasting impact with thought-provoking keynote performances.
Choose from our film catalog or work with us to incorporate themes into a new script which can premiere at your event. Each of our live Living Case Studies includes interactive discussions with the actors in character to provide insights to the thinking and motivations of the characters, enhance learning, and foster connections among attendees.
Make your next event unforgettable. We suggest 8-12 months of advance planning.
High-Impact Learning at an Exceptional Value
Video-based Presentations and Workshops
Engage your audience with immersive performances that go beyond entertainment. Our dynamic productions are perfect for:
- Private Events: Elevate private family meetings, client or member events with a vibrant theatrical experience.
- Industry Events: Make a lasting impact with thought-provoking keynote performances.
Choose from our film catalog or work with us to incorporate themes into a new script which can premiere at your event. Each of our live Living Case Studies includes interactive discussions with the actors in character to provide insights to the thinking and motivations of the characters, enhance learning, and foster connections among attendees.
Make your next event unforgettable. We suggest 8-12 months of advance planning.Â
Tailored Video Content for Educational Programs
The Creative Development Fund
Family enterprises shape communities and build wealth, but managing them comes with unique challenges. While many educational programs cover these topics, traditional methods often lack engagement.
Shaking the Tree’s Living Case Studies offer a dynamic alternative, using storytelling to explore complex issues. However, high production costs can limit accessibility.
For non-commercial organizations with limited budgets for content development, The Creative Development Fund (CDF) bridges this gap by enabling Shaking the Tree to co-invest in developing custom Living Case Studies for educational programs. CDF covers a significant portion of initial production costs, with partners paying residual fees as content is used in their programs. All residuals fees are reinvested into the CDF for investment in future projects.
Bring impactful storytelling to your educational or training program. To learn about eligibility and how we can assist you with new content, contact us to schedule a meeting.Â
High-Quality Production for In-Depth Conversation
Shaking the Tree values creativity and quality. Our process delivers a high-end experience:
Our Creative Team and guest collaborators are highly-regarded professionals from different aspects of wealth management and philanthropy, bringing authentic detail through decades of experience in working with affluent families.
Our Artistic Director, David Kersnar, is a seasoned theater professional and educator who is a Founding Ensemble Member of the prestigious Lookingglass Theatre Company in Chicago. We tap into the region’s top acting, writing, and directing talent through his network.
Our actors are individually cast for each case study through a casting call process, just like a main stage production. These working professional actors are thoroughly prepared and fully rehearsed to provide a faithful portrayal of their character.
The best way to sense the high production value of our Living Case Studies is for you to experience them for yourself. Get a sample of our content with our 7-Day Free Trial.
Sample the Living Case Studies
Beyond the Video
At Shaking the Tree, we know that meaningful discussions and educational opportunities are developed through discussion and collaboration. That’s why each full-length video package comes with:
- Downloadable case notes including a playbill, discussion guide, and other relevant materials
- 7-day access to enable facilitators to dissect, identify themes that are relevant to the meeting, plan questions and discussion points, and run the meeting.
- An optional 60-minute consultation to unlock the full potential of your event or meeting. Our STT team member will share valuable insights into the storyline and characters, reveal how previous meetings have generated dynamic discussions, and guide a creative brainstorming session to help you design a truly memorable experience.
Our team is dedicated to ensuring your meeting is a success. We offer a range of support options, including extended film access for instructors, Advance Access for participants to view the film beforehand, the exciting possibility of incorporating live actors into your facilitation, and additional working sessions with our team for personalized guidance.
Contact us to get started!