Leaders need to develop competences that will allow them to face emerging challenges amid uncertainties and complexities. To address this, organizations look into the arts, in particular theater skills, as a means to form leaders. This study investigated how organizational leadership is honed by active involvement in theater. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used in examining data gathered through semi-structured interviews with 12 participants who are managers/executives from various industries and sectors that had previous involvement in theater. Results show that theater shapes intrapersonal (self- awareness, confidence, creativity and resourcefulness), interpersonal (empathy, trust that empowers, and manages people) and collective competence (shared vision and values, collaboration). Experiences shared by the participants illustrate how they considerably use competences learned from active theater involvement (i.e. working in theater productions, mentoring they received, and the theater environment that they were part of) in their current leadership role. The study presented the ability of theater to form leaders and develop leadership. Although not all prospective employees have joined a theater organization while in the university, leadership development programs at work that enhance competencies such as creativity, quick adaptation to different situations, effective presentation of ideas, empathy, and collaboration with different types of people among others can be implemented by organizations with the use of theatre exercises and activities. It is also essential to consider the importance of having a community of mentors to immediately address development needs of employees and leaders. This may mean embedding a culture of mentorship where leaders are able to provide immediate feedback and guidance, yet allow for autonomy and freedom. Findings of this study contributes knowledge on theater's ability to hone leadership and provides practical insights on how theater competences may be used in developing leaders that will prepare organizations to face and thrive in an ever-changing global landscape.