Roleplay is widely established as a productive part of many training and assessment programmes. It is an exciting and involving way to learn, the closest we can get to the real thing, whilst staying in a safe environment. The challenge is to make sure this simulation stays true to life. With the use of professional actors from Dreamcatcher Media, you can guarantee role-play exercises to be realistic and effective. We work in conjunction with your training department, offering a tailor-made service to fit different requirements.       

How it works:

• Our Actors are able to absorb a complex and detailed case study.
• They can also be briefed on the spot by delegates wishing to practice with specific characters, behaviours or situations.
• Participants do not role-play. They are themselves during the practice with the character played by the actor.
• They get to see, hear and feel the real effect of their interactions during the role-play.
• Participants have the unique opportunity to receive constructive feedback from the character they have been dealing with.
• Dreamcatcher’s creative team will work with you to write and develop briefs that reflect the specific issues faced by individuals and the organisation itself.

What it's great for:

• Assessment & Development Centres
• Skills acquisition
• Recruitment and selection
• Performance management
• Confidence building
• Sales and Negotiation
• Influencing and persuading
• Managing relationships
• Coaching Skills
• Rapport building
• Practicing any situation where people communicate face to face or on the phone.

You may already have a clear idea of how you would like to use our actors, but if not, here are some methods that are popular:

Forum theatre

Actors present a scenario specific to your project and issues. The observers are then given the opportunity to stop and change the action when they feel improvements can be made. The action can be rewound and replayed according to the comments. Feedback continues until the scenario becomes a demonstration of 'best practice'.

Briefed role-play

Actors improvise with participants in accordance to a specific brief. This method gives participants the opportunity to test and/or develop their skills on a human guinea pig. If required actors can also give feedback to assist an evaluation.

Scripted role-play

Actors deliver a tailored script which has a variety of outcomes. Whilst in role-play with a participant, the different scripts are revealed as and when the participant triggers them. The participant can thus be rewarded with information when they demonstrate the appropriate skills.

Reflected role-play

After researching and mystery shopping your environment, our actors present a dramatic interpretation of how your workplace comes across to an outside eye. Actors can reveal atmospheres and customer care standards etc in an entertaining way. With due sensitivity, we are able to give you a fair and objective account which can inspire as well as inform.

Sketches

Sketches can be a fun and punchy way to demonstrate a point or bring a theory to life. Always entertaining and often humorous they can be the ideal injection in a presentation or workshop.

Devising & writing

We are happy to work with your scripts and briefs, but if you need us to devise or write your material we can. In all cases we are always on hand to advise and assist when required.

Preparatory work & research

It is ingrained in our company culture to be thorough in our preparation and research, and our actors are no exception. They extensively research their role to deliver the most convincing depiction of their character and job specification.

What makes a Dreamcatcher Media role-player also includes:

 Being able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances

 Being adept at giving constructive feedback, formally or informally, verbally or written 

 Being aware of and responding to the slightest change in body language and behaviour of participants 

 Being able to identify when a participant needs more, or less, challenge 

 Being able to apply consistency in responses and emotions when required 

 Focussing on the achievement of the objectives of the participants and course leaders at all times