This is a question I’m asked on a regular basis, spending my time travelling up and down the country, meeting new clients. After the nice introductions, I’m often posed this question from those who’ve never witnessed or experienced drama based training in the workplace. So, what is it that you do? Tell me more! It’s such a sensible question.
And here comes the interesting part, having listened to my experienced colleagues when delivering at conferences, events and drama based training sessions, we all have a different but equally lovely way of explaining how drama based training works.
This is okay when you’re sat in front of the prospective client or delivering our work live. But what about when you want your website or written marketing materials to convey the right message to a potential client who has never heard of us, never used or experienced drama based approaches, and has a particular specialism, like, say, Health and Safety in mind? They can’t see it, talk about it, feel it or hear it. So how best do we explain clearly and succinctly exactly what it is that we do?
Well, here’s a variety of things my colleagues would say, at different times:
- We use drama to train your people and communicate your messages
- We use drama to motivate and engage
- We use drama to deliver fun & memorable training
- We use drama to WOW at staff conferences
- We use drama to create highly experiential learning environments
- We use drama to share best practice and improve performance
- We use drama to influence attitudes and behaviours to produce positive change
- We use drama to connect with people at an emotional level
- We use drama as an inspirational tool
- We use drama as a participatory tool
- We use drama to provoke thoughts, discussion and debate
- We use drama to change behaviours and attitudes in the workplace.
And, breathe…
Now, they’re all great descriptions. But which one helps you, the potential client, to make an informed decision? Would any of them make you go, “Yeah, I get it and I could see how this could benefit my organisation”?
Okay, so let me give you my take on describing drama based training:
- Drama is a powerful tool for helping organisations to change behaviours and attitudes in the workplace. Using a blend of live drama (professional actors), digital material and skilled facilitation, we are able to hold up a mirror to the organisation, its culture and behaviours, which allows delegates to recognise these, either within themselves or their colleagues and instigate change. We carefully script scenarios around fictional organisations and real case studies to powerfully bring the behaviours and learning to life.
Does that help you understand what we do? I hope so. If you’re still not sure, let me know in the comments.
Recently, we received this feedback from a client. I think it also sums up what drama based training does.
“Many comments were received from staff about the quality of the actors used and their ability to reflect so accurately real situations in the workplace.”
Hmm…I must add it to my list of descriptions above…
