About the Book
The use of training techniques originally developed for theatre and improvisation within the workplace has increased enormously in recent years, and the proven effectiveness of this approach has found many enthusiastic followers. Sometimes, actors are brought into an organization to act as catalysts within a training/role-play setting, but, increasingly, trainers themselves are using the techniques.
Written by an expert in the field, drawing on her substantial experience in business, training and acting, this practical guide shows clearly how anyone can make use of these techniques easily and effectively. With information on the theories and principles behind using drama in training, this book also includes the details of 50 activities and shows how to use a diverse range of techniques to improve creativity, leadership, teamwork and personal development. Training Using Drama covers the key issues, including: storytelling; role-plays; coaching; non-verbal communication; spontaneity; trust and awareness.
Table of Contents:
Section 1: Chapter 1 The principles of improvisation - Trust, Spontaneity, Accepting offers, Listening and awareness, Storytelling, Non-verbal communication; Chapter 2 Trust - The principle (The trust formula; Getting to know each other, Activity - Story of your name, Activity - Stats, Make your partner look good, Activity - Ball toss), Application (Practise what you preach, Recognize that you are seen, Set expectations, Frame your intentions, Provide low-risk opportunities, Choose your activities carefully), Key points; Chapter 3 Spontaneity - The principle (Activity - Invisible balls, Resistance to spontaneity, The case for spontaneity, Activity - I failed!) Application (Warm people up, Separate idea generation from idea evaluation, Remind people of the rules of brainstorming, Provide escape hatches, Assess needs, Behind the scenes), Key points; Chapter 4 Accepting offers - The principle (Resistance to saying 'Yes', Accepting blocks, The power of optimism, Activity - Speaking in unison, Exercising acceptance, Activity - Accept this!, Activity - Experts, Drawing it out), Application (Assess and strengthen your personal 'Yes, and' ability, Capture genius, Enhance teamwork, Motivate), Key points; Chapter 5 Listening and awareness - The principle (Enhancing listening, Activity - Story exchange, Increasing awareness, Facts, feelings, intentions, Harvesting inspiration, The listening curve, Facilitating listening and awareness, The mysterious something else, Activity - Group counting), Application (Enhance your own skills, Read between the lines, Train the team, Check for understanding, Separate observable behaviours from interpretations, Articulate your intentions, Feed creativity), Key points; Chapter 6 Storytelling - The principle (The heart of theatre, Reincorporation, Patterns, Making connections, What happens next?, Activity - Three-word stories, The story spine, Adding flesh to the bones, Activity - Colour/advance), Application (Pique interest, Use stories for introductions, Assess needs, Increase retention, Enrich visioning and problem solving, Build teams), Key points; Chapter 7 Non-verbal communication - The principle (The person, the instrument, Conditioning your instrument, Aligning mind and body, Inside out/outside in, Status, Activity - Status cards, The benefits of status awareness), Application (Enhance presentation skills, Align the mind and the body, Make conscious status choices), Key points. Section 2 115 Additional activities.
About the Author :
Kat Koppett is a trainer and actor based in the United States. She runs a specialist training consultancy and has worked with a number of major clients including Sony, PriceWaterhouseCooers, Oracle and Microsoft. She has been a guest teacher at Stanford University and at Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations. She now runs Koppett & Company, a training, coaching and consulting group specializing in the application of improvisational theatre and storytelling techniques to enhance individual and organizational performance
