How to train forum facilitators
Download & Print this Facilitator Training Guide
Preparation - Schedule a workshop: All facilitators need this training or the forum is likely to fail. Include as many of the host staff as possible as participants. A group of 20 to 30 is more realistic.
Allow from 1 to 1-1/2 hours for the workshop.
Facilitators need to be prepared to present short scenes of 5 minutes or less. These can be works in progress. They can use scripts. The scene should be unfamiliar to most.
It is best to meet in a room similar to those being used for actual forums.
Make copies of this document, Forum Facilitator Guidelines and Forum Participant Guidelines for all attending the training. These can be printed double sided. These documents can be downloaded from www.nhetg.org
Explain the purpose of hosting: Our collective task is to make our guests feel as welcome as we possibly can. We should be helpful and courteous at all times, answer their questions, allay their fears and treat them as honored guests. On the day of the festival, set aside your own production till it is time to perform.
Distribute the Forum Participant Guidelines: (2 pages back to back)
Note that all festival guest participants should have received the Forum Participant Guidelines from their director and participated in a practice forum prior to festival.
Read the Forum Participant Guidelines out loud to the group, explaining with examples as you go and make sure everyone is on the same philosophical page.
Review the Alternate Process on page 2. (performing company absent)
Review the lists of Topics for Discussion and Example Questions on page 2. Use these if there is a lul.
Explain that these are guidelines only and if someone provides a Statement of Meaning during the Performer/Technician as Questioner section, it's fine. If however we stray off topic, do reign the forum back in.
Distribute Forum Facilitator Guidelines: (2nd page of this document)
Review check lists, Issue Resolution Ideas, and everything else then return here to continue the training.
Practice Forums:
Arrange desks and chairs in a circle for a more comfortable setting. Someone might take a picture of the room first so it can be restored when done.
Choose 1-3 to facilitate a trial forum. (First time choose those likely to do well, then those who may find it more challenging. Just 1 facilitator in an actual forum. Perhaps a 2nd as backup.)
Have a small group present a short scene. This can be in the forum room.
After each scene is presented:
One, two, or three of the facilitators will run a forum on that performance.
During the training forums the trainer may interrupt to correct an error in process but be careful not to do that too much. Try not to interrupt the flow of the forum.
The facilitators should ask the trainer questions as needed when they are unsure what to do.
After the forum, explain what went well and what might have been done better.
Ask if there are any questions.
Continue with performances & forums: till everyone has the chance to facilitate.
All facilitators need this training!
(If possible, it may be helpful to include an abbreviated Forum Participant Guide in the program.)
Rev 1/8/2023