I specialise in training managers to give difficult feedback to their staff. Currently working with a heavily unionised organisation and staff are giving managers a very hard time. It has been suggested that Forum Theatre exercises would add value to my participants. I am therefore asking whether anyone has recommendations to give as how I could access training in Forum Theatre techniques. Many thanks.
11 Responses
Forum Theatre Training
I can thoroughly recommend Josie Hastings of Equip Training (josiehastings@gmail.com). She uses actors to do role play/forum theatre. You give them a situation and then direct the action at any time. We have used her several times for "How to handle difficult situations in the workplace" workshops and these have been very succesful. It helps the participants because they don’t feel under pressure to do the role play themselves.
Elspeth
REACT
My company have used React: http://www.react.co.uk for Drama Based Training, Interactive Training and Business Role Plays to really high effect. I run leadership development programmes and utilise their business trained actors to support participants in practicing delivery of feedback and/or dealing with challenging/difficult situations. I can personally recommend the quality of their highly professional input.
2 companies who can do what you want
We have used both Interact http://www.interact.eu.com/index.php and Dramanon, both of whom have been excellent. Interact often have presentation days where they talk you through how to use this form of training. You can even get them to look at a particular topic. So if you are in the London area it would be worth going along, even if they turn out to be too expensive, as it will give you lots of ideas and give you the opportunity to talk to other training managers.
Great company to use!
Hi Sue,
I would strongly suggest Blue Beetle who complete ‘live’ role-plays. I have used them both in hospitality and call centre environments and the sessions have all gone down a storm!
Graham and the team there will work with you to give you a bespoke session. Look them up at http://www.bluebeetle.co.uk
Thanks
Claire
Personal and Tailored to your organisation
I have used a company, now called Enact Solutions, many times and always with great success. Their attention to detail in understanding the client ensures that the role plays and scenarios are always effective and impactful. Peter the MD is superb at helping you identify what you need and stimulating creative approaches to difficult situations. The feedback form particapants has ALWAYS been excellent. Peter Allen peter.allen@enactsolutions.com or tel: 01484 310234 http://www.enactsolutions.com/
Forum Theatre
Hello,
We use Centre Stage for our Forum Theatre activites for our managers and for customer service training, we receive really great feedback from our delegates http://www.cstage.co.uk/
— Regards Scott
Forum Theatre – a world of its own
Hi Sue,
It’s my understanding that Forum Theatre is not something that can be incorporated into a programme by the sole trainer. It does need actors. From your post I think you are considering integrating it yourself, so that your managers can experience it directly?
This type of theatre needs actors to make it work: you devise/script a scenario; at some point there is a dilemma or a point where choice needs to be made; suggestions are taken from the audience/group etc as to what needs to be done next and the actors continue the scene (or play the scene again with the new suggestion). For it to work, it does need professional actors as it takes an awful lot of thinking on your feet.
My question is always the same one: why was Forum Theatre recommended? It sounds like your managers need experiential training to give them the confidence (?) to tackle different conversations. Or has FT been recommended because it is quite a safe option, as it is "out there": you see what’s going on but don’t experience it directly and you can watch the consequences of a whole range of actions?
I don’t work with FT at all but happy to talk offline – send me a message or find me on Linkedin.
Pilar Orti
Forum Theatre
If you’re looking for a long-established and leading provider of role-play actors then I can highly recommend Role-Play UK Limited. I have known the owners of the business since its inception and would refer them to anyone looking for this answer to a developmental need.
Forum theatre training – highly recommend Nelson Training
Highly recommend Nelson training based in Malvern.
Training is designed around your needs and Nelson will come to you. Contact Viv Nelson….
http://www.nelsontraining.co.uk/
Best regards,
Lindsay.
Forum Theatre
Sue – I have got to your question a bit late I know. I work with a Bristol-based company called Power Train. We use business trained actors along with trainers to test and develop client staff using tailored scenarios and often using effective personality driver models to encourage genuine engagement with a range of types of people. Let me know if you want to discuss/question further.
Very best
Paul James
I
1-1 ‘real play’ rather than Forum style
Hi Sue,
Coming a little late to this discussion, but hopefully this will help.
I do exactly this type of work with organisations who are developing people managers to give difficult feedback to their subordinates or indeed to a colleague or patient. We support the trainer/facilitator by roleplaying and facilitating feedback in small learning groups.
My experience is that the real learning comes from actually working with a professional role player – the reactions are immediate, honest and the meeting unfolds as the conversation progresses totally as a reaction to what is happening ‘in the moment’. Following the roleplay the roleplayer gives immediate feedback on the impact the delegates style/behavour etc had on them.
Professional roleplayers are trained to react, improvise and to be consistent. They take on the persona as described in the brief or, in the case of bespoke roleplay, as described by the participant.
Almost as much learning happens for the observers, i.e., the other delegates in the group who observe and give their feedback, along with that of the roleplayer at the end of each session. Should you wish to know more about how this works please contact me.
Rita