About MaST Theatre

MaST offers the unique feature of its own in-house Theatre Team and although the use of drama in training is now well established, we have been at the forefront of its development for over fifteen years. This is in line with our commitment to modern accelerated learning techniques and recognises the value we place on experiential learning and emotional intelligence. It provides a memorable and high impact ingredient to many of our programmes. MaST Theatre also design and deliver stand-alone programmes in fields such Presentation Skills, Leadership Skills, Cross-Cultural Working and Diversity programmes.

An experienced theatre team working full time within a learning and development company gives our clients a unique advantage in the design and delivery of their training programmes.

Run by a team with backgrounds in management and consultancy, as well as theatre, education, conference and digital video production, it draws upon the expertise of writers, directors, actors and technicians, all of whom understand business issues. Most of our actors are highly experienced facilitators in their own right and many also offer specific commercial and professional backgrounds.

Drama in training takes many forms. It encompasses exercises ranging from role-play, with which many people will be familiar in its conventional form, to short plays demonstrating or illuminating business issues, to interactive or 'forum' theatre where audiences contribute to outcomes. Dialogue with our clients and careful research ensures credibility and an appropriate 'cultural fit'. Most of our work is bespoke but we also provide existing material at very reasonable cost from a catalogue built up over many years. We often work with small teams of actors, using workshop techniques such as 'hot seating' and feedback in character. Our audiences can experiment with approaches and see how they affect practical, professional situations. With our broad expertise in theatre and conference production we also produce events for large audiences.

Theatre offers a wide variety of techniques to ensure we meet our clients' training objectives. Almost inevitably, these objectives will involve change. Organisations only change when their people change. Drama can challenge the attitudes that govern behaviours. It is a natural tool for raising awareness. Difficult questions around management styles and people skills can be addressed in a non-threatening environment. It is also a highly effective vehicle for tackling the relevance and benefits of strong diversity policies. Good theatre can engage everybody and the experience offers great opportunities for bringing organisations and teams together. It provides colour and excitement within the training environment and ensures your delegates have fun whilst they learn. Strategies can be discussed openly and creatively and messages and conclusions are remembered long after the event. People appreciate issues and learn best when they are engaged, stimulated and enjoying themselves. Drama, serious or comic, provides that means of delivery.

"To educate, to inform and to entertain", from the old BBC Charter, expresses our mission as succinctly as we could wish.