HOW IS THEATER EFFECTIVE AS AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL?
Theater stimulates creativity, provoking inspiration and a larger frame of reference, setting the stage for effective problem solving, brainstorming or visualizing the future. When audiences' emotions are stirred, their awareness is heightened. Theater gives them a message in a very intimate way. The power of a play is its unrelenting demand for the attention, commitment and involvement of audiences, a microcosm of organizational goals.

Theater bypasses the resistance of audiences, engages emotion and better relates the ramifications of actions. The complexity of difficult issues is simplified because the information required to resolve difficult issues is not only heard, but experienced. The experience of witnessing live theater has a deeper and more lasting effect than words or ideas. Education through theater takes deeper root in audiences, leaving them open to altering behavior.

"People see themselves in what's going on. They project themselves into the plot. They identify with characters and consider things they might not with other methods of presentation."1

"It's a terrific teaching tool," says Dorothy Bullitt, vice president of Harbor Properties Inc., which had one of the first showings of the AIDS at Work presentation. "Many employees came in ignorant and quite fearful. They left quite compassionate and knowledgeable."

"A play is a truly non-threatening medium to discuss tricky subjects." 2

HOW DOES A FACILITATED DISCUSSION WITH THE ACTORS REMAINING IN CHARACTER WORK?
Following the performance of an one-act or full-length play, the actors remain in character and answer questions from the audience. The Sanity Patrol Players have found that audience members are likely to confront a character in ways they wouldn't with anyone else. In questioning a characters reason for behaving the way they do, audience members ask questions they may feel uncomfortable asking under any other circumstances. Actors are trained to maximize the effectiveness of this exercise, according to the needs of the organization.

DO THE PERFORMANCE AND FACILITATED DISCUSSION CONSTITUTE THE TRAINING IN ITS ENTIRETY?
Not necessarily. The Sanity Patrol Players work with organizations to tailor comprehensive training programs to maximize the effect on both the individuals and groups that work together. It is not uncommon to utilize outside trainers or to train trainers. Outside trainers have reported that even when they use their standardized programs following a performance, their work is ever so much easier because the participants are better prepared.

WHAT MAKES TRAININGS WITH LIVE THEATER MORE EFFECTIVE THAN DIRECT INSTRUCTION?
People learn best when taught in an active way. Listing concerns about issues by means of direct instruction does not impact participants or provide them with the tools they need to alter their behavior as well as theater. The Sanity Patrol Players' presentations actively involve participants and therefore increase the retention of information.

WHAT MAKES THESE PRESENTATIONS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN WRITTEN MATERIALS?
Teaching effectively -- especially about issues relating to interactive behaviors -- requires more than the solitary process of reading. People learn best about the motivations of their behavior and that of others by communicating and connecting with other people. Written materials are best at providing reminders, exploring thoughts and ideas, or other more passive processes of taking in information. All aspects of The Sanity Patrol Players' presentations are active.

WHAT MAKES THEATER MORE EFFECTIVE THAN VIDEO?
Video takes the isolating effect of written materials one step further: it appears to intimately and actively involve the audience, but does not. Video can demonstrate and model, but viewers easily separate the negative behavior they see on video from their own, nor are they inspired to connect with others. Video supports voyeurism whereas theater provides an audience with a shared experience. Live performers demand more attention, more active involvement and a stronger relationship with each audience member.

"'Our hope is these managers walk away with something they'll keep in mind for a long time,' said Carole Cornall, a Xerox business-resources manager. 'When you hear a lecture or watch a video, you tend to sit there and it's just a ho-hum kind of thing that doesn't really make an impression.'"3

HOW HAVE AUDIENCES RESPONDED TO PRESENTATIONS IN THE PAST?
According to those who have utilized these presentations, theater is a highly effective tool for education. Participants responded positively on evaluations given immediately following the trainings and months later reported high retention of the information they received (evaluations available upon request). They mentioned both subtle changes in behavior and attitude in their work environment and a tremendous increase in the reporting of incidents. They also report that those who shared in this training experience also shaped a point of reference when talking to one another about these issues.

NOTE: Summaries of evaluations are available upon request.

1 Steve Cato, Management Consultant, Kirkland, WA, The Seattle Times.

2 Jean B. Case, Union Carbide's medical director, in reference to a Plays for Living (a program similar to The Sanity Patrol Players fka Konnexxus and Plays That Work) program on alcoholism.

3 Hall, Carl T., "Theater Shows Managers How to Confront Prejudices", The San Francisco Chronicle