Stephen is a grounded and skillful roleplayer with genuine aptitude for work in this field, drawing on his educational background and experience. He loves working with people who share his belief in the use and application of role play for high value professional training and development.
“My first job in this specialism was playing various patients for a groundbreaking G.P. training scheme pioneered on Teeside in the 1970’s. I have gone on to work for many high profile clients in both the public and private sectors, practicing at all levels. These range from scripted corporate training films and conference theatre to personal presentation, coaching, bespoke forum and ‘one on one’ interview sessions working from specific briefs. I cover blue collar manual to senior professional roles with ease and authority. An ability to absorb and fully interpret the brief as well as being a good giver of feedback make me a useful part of any team providing training and personal development through roleplay”
University of Lancaster/Demi-paradise Associates ‘Difficult Discussions: Preparing for Retirement’ Played senior academic in co-devised bespoke scenario (with fellow roleplayer Julia Rounthwaite) for heads of department. Practical part of two day course run in house by HR as a bespoke forum theatre exercise. Currently co-devising major expansion of sessions for professional services & academic staff, running April – Sept 2018.
MacPhail Watmore Associates for University of Lancaster ‘Recruiting the Best’. Roleplaying as interviewee for academic and administration staff practical key learning in recruitment & interviewing skills. This detailed brief required intensive back story and research around educational & sociological aspects of life in the far east in preparation for evidence based interviewing & assessment. (2009 – 2016)
PRP for Royal College of Psychiatrists. (Sheffield 2018) Practical component of CASC exams for qualifying practitioners. Played patients in role presenting with various conditions from vascular dementia to parietal lobe impairment.
Demi-Paradise Associates (DPA) for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. I cast, co-ordinate and participate in annual supervisory & middle management training and examination role plays. The company of actor/roleplayers rehearse and deliver a variety of scripted multi & single role play briefs for candidates and participants. In company with other colleagues I also present as job applicants for crew interview skills training programme. (2005 ongoing) We have also undertook sessions for Cheshire, Cumbria and Liverpool Fire & Rescue Services (2005-2010)
Lancashire Fire & Rescue/Lancashire Police. Working with emergency planning & response managers to cast & co-ordinate a four strong team role playing bereaved relatives of firefighters in major simulation exercise. (March/April 2015).
Beehive Learning for Scottish & Southern Electricity (SSE). Corporate Health & Safety. ‘We’ve Got the POWRA’ filmed on site at Fiddlers Ferry Power Station, Widnes. Playing works team leader in a scripted 15′ film (2015)
McphailWatmore Associates for University of Southampton. Working with trainer Fiona McPhail applying bespoke forum theatre techniques with HR, Support Staff & Academics from dealing with ‘Difficult Conversations’ (2014) referencing the GROW coaching model to ‘Improving Your Communication Skills’ (2013) illustrating transactional analysis systems.
Demi-paradise Associates for Liverpool University. Bespoke Forum role play with senior support staff & academics. Diagnostic work through a variety of improvised scenarios as part of development training modules developed in co-ordination with HR (2013 – 15)
STEPS Drama Learning Development for Ministry of Justice/Judicial Appointments Commission at JAC HQ, central London. In depth sessions role playing non judicial members sitting on an employment tribunal, part of an intensive selection exercise for lawyers and solicitors applying to sit as fee paid judges on employment panels. (2013)
STEPS Drama Learning Development for Ministry of Justice/Judicial Appointments Commission. Venues at courts in Manchester & Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. In depth sessions roleplaying a doctor on a simulated social security appeal tribunal; part of an intensive selection exercise for applicants applying to sit as fee paid judges on social entitlement appeal cases. (2012)
Real Results Training for Blackpool Coastal Housing. Co-ordinator and actor for forum theatre input as part of day courses for staff on ‘Defusing Conflict’. Participants included front line housing officers, maintenance crew and administrators at various locations in Blackpool. (2012-13)
Performance Link and Leading Edge Management Consultants for Millenium Chemicals. Performance review (interview) role play & feedback for executives and senior managers held at Forest Pines Hotel & Conference Centre, Lincolnshire. (2011- 2012)
Professional Role Players (PRP) for Royal College of Psychiatrists. Patient in various ‘rapid diagnosis’ role plays for graduating doctors. (2011)
David Pearce Associates for University of Liverpool HR Dept, development and learning (2008-2010) Roleplay and presentational skills advice for academic, managerial and technical staff on a series of training inset days.
Real Results Training for University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN), leadership development training with senior teaching staff. (2009- 2013)
The Development Partnership (TDP) for Crown Prosecution Service. Bespoke forum and scripted role plays with administrative and legal staff at Greater Manchester & South Yorkshire CPS as part of staff coaching skills programme. (2007 – 2010) Also acted as programme co-ordinator co-opting & briefing London based roleplayers in series of further sessions for London CPS on behalf of TDP (2009-10)
The Development Partnership (TDP) for Arla Foods. Improvised scenarios to develop coaching skills with sales, administration and plant personnel. (2008)
The Competence Connection for Royal Bank of Scotland: Independent financial adviser training & role play in Bristol, (2004)
Di Adderley for Panorama Holidays: Series of customer telephone role plays (2003)
Performance Link for Puratos PLC Master bakers. Roleplaying clients for sales and marketing staff at HR training suite, Buckingham (2002)
Performance Link for Addleshaw Booth Ltd. Manchester office. Roleplaying corporate clients for solicitors. (2002)
Target Casting for Manchester University School of Medicine. Patient role plays for G.P.s in Greater Manchester(1998/9)
Target Casting for Vauxhall Motors Ltd Ellesmere Port V6 Engine Plant Shop floor worker in on-site management disciplinary training for team leaders. (1998)
Impact Training Ltd for BNFL/IT Services. Development courses for managers at various Lake district residential training centres. (2000)
Target Casting for Lancaster University, School of Management. Tutors & MBA students (1990-98) Presentational skills training & tutoring on one to one & group basis..
RMTD Ltd for BBC Resources. As a television producer in various self devised scenarios for staff training role plays in interview and presenting skills held at TV Centre Wood Lane, Elstree Studios & Pebble Mill, Birmingham. Delegates included set, costume, special effects, graphics, make up designers as well as editors and technical staff. (1992 – 2001)
STEPHEN TOMLIN 