An Actor’s Guide to Corporate Role Play

Syrus Lowe trained as an actor at RADA, UK, and has had a successful career in theatre, TV and animation. Most recently, he appeared in the hit West End show Best of Enemies and on Netflix’s Treason and BBC/HBO’s Strike. He is also a leader in the field of corporate role play, having worked in the sector for over 20 years with clients from across the world, including BMS Group, the NHS, General Electric and the British Army. In 2021, Syrus co-founded the drama-based equity, diversity and inclusion training company The Communication Practice (www.thecommunicationpractice.com). Since 2016, he has run the UK’s only corporate role play masterclass for actors. He has delivered his masterclasses to graduating students at six of the UK’s leading drama schools and sits on the audition panels for some of the UK’s top corporate role play companies.

Introduction

Chapter 1: WHAT IS IT?
What is corporate role play?
What is a corporate role play actor?
What is a facilitator?
What is a role play company?
Which industries use corporate role play?
Why do they use actors for corporate role play?
It's not about you
What is in it for you

Chapter 2: HOW TO GET THE WORK AND KEEP ON WORKING
The research
Role play company websites
The cover letter
The spreadsheet
The audition
What to do ahead of your first role play job
What to do on your first role play job
Steal with pride
How to manage life as a role play actor
Chapter 3: HOW TO DO IT
How to do corporate role play
How to give feedback

Chapter 4: THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ROLE PLAY
Pre-briefed role play
Forum theatre
Bespoke role play
Virtual role play
Filmed role play
Final Thoughts