Mirror Back is a Helsinki-based cooperative collective that consists of professional actors, scriptwriters, facilitators, and coaches to provide drama-based training for organisations at all levels. We operate across Europe.
Our dramatic corporate training is a powerful method for creating more productivity, trust and well-being in the workplace. These techniques provide a mirror for individuals at all levels of the organisation, helping them to discover, own, and change the way they act and treat others.
Drama-based training is an effective and impactful way to create safer, happier, and more productive workplaces. Our trainings are tailored for each client’s unique needs to develop emotional intelligence, leadership skills, interaction and influencing as well as self-reflection.
“My biggest learning was related to my own behaviour in a meeting-like environment. This was demonstrated in an impactful manner.”
Participant at Nokia
What We Do?
Unlike traditional classroom-style training, our dramatic training is highly interactive. Participants are actively engaged in the learning process, which leads to better retention and application of skills in their actual work environment.
Drama-based training encompasses various approaches and techniques to improve employee skills and enhance workplace performance through theatrical and dramatic methods.
By providing contextual learning, drama-based training ensures that learning is practical and relevant to the participants’ daily work experiences.
All of our trainings are tailored to address each client’s specific needs and objectives. Organisations have the flexibility to select the approach or combination of approaches that best align with their specific training objectives and desired outcomes.
Practice high-stakes situations with simulated scenes
Negotiations
Sales situation
Customer service situation
Feedback
Even the most experienced leaders can find themselves feeling apprehensive when faced with high-stakes situations, whether it’s negotiating a critical deal or addressing a team member’s underperformance.
Our simulated scenes are meticulously crafted to replicate real-life scenarios, from customer interactions to team conflicts and leadership dilemmas. These realistic simulations prepare the participants to navigate and excel in delicate and high-pressure situations.
Simulated scenes are interactive and immersive learning experiences that use theatrical techniques to teach employees essential skills, foster personal development, and improve workplace performance. In simulated scenes, we create a laboratory-like environment where participants can make mistakes and experiment with different approaches in a safe space. This allows them to practice and refine their skills without the fear of real-world consequences.
In our simulated scenes, participants engage in one-on-one interactions with professional actors who skillfully portray clients, employees, or colleagues. These experts create authentic character portrayals that contribute to a dynamic and immersive learning environment. The actor will assess the participant’s influencing skills, providing valuable constructive feedback.
This feedback plays a pivotal role in fostering personal growth and facilitating a deeper comprehension of the participant’s impact through their actions and words in specific situations.
Address team conflicts with Forum Theatre
Fear of failure
Communication issues
Micro behaviour
Team effort
Forum Theatre, pioneered by Augusto Boal, harnesses the expertise of professional actors to reenact scenarios, characters, and challenges commonly faced in the workplace in a pre-scripted scene. These scenes are intentionally left unresolved or problematic.
After the initial performance, participants actively engage in discussions, providing coaching and mentoring to guide the characters in modifying their behaviour. Participants can also step into the scenes and experiment with various problem-solving approaches.
This innovative methodology serves as a potent tool for identifying and addressing dysfunctional workplace behaviours. It empowers participants to heighten their awareness of their interpersonal influence, sharpen analytical and decision-making skills, and bolster problem-solving abilities. Additionally, it cultivates conflict resolution proficiency, emphasising transparency and empathy.
These interactive scenes provide a distinctive opportunity for participants to hone their mentoring skills and witness firsthand how their guidance shapes character actions.
“The impact of personal agendas in the workplace cannot be underestimated. I learned to think of alternative ways to communicate and formulate my wishes, expectations, and frustrations.”
Participant at Nokia
Who We Are?
Elina Aalto
Elina trained as an actress at The Theatre Academy in Helsinki and has performed in prestigious venues like Helsinki City Theatre, Turku City Theatre, and The Finnish National Theatre.
Beyond her acting prowess, she has 20+ years of experience as a communication skills coach with a passion for helping individuals discover their strengths and enhance their public speaking abilities. Elina excels in creating inclusive workshop environments, effortlessly engaging even the shyest participants while spreading laughter wherever she goes.
Suvi Koivusalo
Suvi is a multilingual actress, journalist and communication skills coach who, after living years abroad has now found a home in Helsinki. After completing her Master of Science degree in International Business Communication she studied acting in New York and London.
Suvi’s professional ethos revolves around nurturing creativity and she inspires her clients to explore diverse perspectives, both within themselves and in the world. This is achieved through a multifaceted approach that encompasses insightful interviews, engaging performances, and the transformative power of applied improvisation.
Sonja Sorvola
Sonja gained her Master’s degree in acting in London and has over fifteen years of experience spanning across the theatre industry as an actor, director, scriptwriter and choreographer.
As a coach, Sonja excels in emotional intelligence, helping clients connect with their own emotions and those of others. She is a certified yoga and meditation teacher, which enriches her coaching style with mindfulness and self-awareness. Sonja’s holistic approach empowers clients to achieve personal and professional transformation.
Panu Tuomikko
Panu is a seasoned actor, educator, writer, and pedagog, bringing a wealth of experience to the world of business education. With years of expertise in critical business aspects such as effective feedback delivery, customer service excellence, workplace well-being, and navigating difficult conversations, he serves as a valuable resource for organisations seeking to enhance their performance.
MIRROR BACK COLLECTIVE 