Our Approach
Why does drama-based training work?
Drama-based training is an experiential and engaging way to “learn by doing” and reflecting. With professional actors, we build a safe yet realistic environment where participants can explore the conversations, behaviours, and emotions they often find challenging.
From dealing with demanding stakeholders through to supporting team members with potentially complex issues such as conduct, underperformance or mental health, delegates gain the confidence to engage in these conversations with skill and empathy.
Neuroscience explains why the approach is so effective. Professional actors simulate high-stakes, emotionally authentic scenarios that mirror real workplace challenges. These experiences activate multiple memory systems and emotional centers in the brain, for deeper learning and stronger retention. As Dan Heath puts it: “people see something, that makes them feel something that gives them the fuel to change.”
Our Techniques
SCENARIO
Bringing to life realistic situations and challenges for the audience to discuss, anonymously vote upon and explore with psychological safety. Our short scenes allow delegates to examine potentially challenging workplace situations, safely share perspectives, identify the impact of non-inclusive behaviours & conversations, and share best practice. We engage learners on an emotional level which fuels a desire for positive change which can be harnessed throughout the session.
Forum Theatre
Stop start forum is one of our most popular tools and uses the ‘mantle of the expert’ approach to enable learners to explore issues. Having watched an ‘anti-model’ scene in which poor practice and behaviour is exhibited, we re-play the drama. At any point a learner sees or hears the character say something they don’t like, or want to challenge, they shout ‘stop’ and the actors freeze. The learner then re-directs the drama giving instructions to the actor as to what they want them to say and how they want them to say it. This is a brilliant technique for encouraging people to see other people’s perspectives as well as share best practice in a very safe way.
Hot - Seating
Learners are encouraged to talk to a character, to ask them questions to ascertain more information. As a form of empathetic learning, it enables learners to understand more deeply how a situation or behaviour is impacting on an individual. Hot Seating is also a wonderful tool for practicing skills such as questioning and active listening techniques and sharing advice and information.
Thought Tracking
Thought tracking explores the genuine feelings a character might hold in their heads. The type of things we sometimes think but can’t or don’t necessarily share. It is a technique used to gain greater insight into a situation or as a stimulus for discussing more challenging concepts.
Invisible Theatre
The audience is unaware that actors are in the room! They experience a seemingly real event such as an unsafe piece of behaviour. The facilitator can then reveal that the happening has been staged and explore & process people’s reactions. We design invisible theatre carefully so that the moment brings to life a theme of the conference / event whilst allowing delegates not to feel tricked or exposed.
Real Play
Real play is where an actor is in role as a fictional, but realistic character, while the delegate is not in role; they play themselves. Working in small groups to enable trust and a safe, constructive working environment, delegates split into teams. Each team then works with a character to hone skills covered in the session. This an effective technique for skills practice around crucial conversations.
Choose Your Journey
Choose Your Journey is a highly engaging technique that embraces gamification. Working well for large or smaller groups the approach consists of the audience observing a piece of drama where at pre-selected 'moments of truth' the action pauses allowing the audience to vote on how they wish to proceed. A very inclusive and time efficient process where audiences select from options allowing a learning pathway to be explored and merits of different choices and techniques can be brought to life and discussed.
Our Process
DISCOVERY
Lead by inquisition and compassion we begin by asking questions and listening carefully until you feel we truly understand your organisation and it’s leaning requirements.
Development
Working side by side with you and subject matter experts, our creative team develop custom scripts and delivery methods that are sure to feel realistic, powerful & effective.
Delivery
We combine creative experience, technical expertise and professional performers to create smooth, powerful performances online & in-person.
Debrief
We’re dedicated to following up every delivery with clear measurement showing the early impact of the performance and long-term changes in behaviour.