Bespoke Training
That Feels Human

Jo Haydock Theatre & Training comprises an experienced team of professional actors who bring clarity, empathy and realism to role-play training, tailored to your needs, without the theatrics.

Our mission is to make training more human, honest, and effective.

Our mission is to make training more human, honest, and effective.

Jo Haydock Theatre & Training was founded in 2003 by Joanne Haydock, a professional actor who saw first-hand the power of performance in training.

While working extensively with Police, Social Services and in Corporate settings, Jo noticed a gap: many organisations were hesitant to use actors for training, worried it might feel “a bit luvvie.” Instead, their training could feel quite dry and they’d ask colleagues to role-play, which nearly always felt awkward and unconvincing.

Jo knew there was a better way.

Jo set out to prove that professional actors: intelligent, grounded, emotionally tuned-in, could transform training. And that short, bespoke scripted scenarios can energise and enhance any training or conference setting, not by being dramatic, but by being real.

We guarantee a Personal, Human and Communicative approach

Jo is passionate about good communication and believes that most of the world’s problems could be solved if we all communicated more effectively and regularly.

What makes us Different

Learning that sticks

We use performance to make training memorable and meaningful.

Custom-Fit Training

Smarter training, custom-fit to your goals, people, and culture. No copy-paste scenarios here.

Professional, Not Pretentious

We’re warm, sharp, and serious about getting it right, without the luvvie nonsense.

What we do

🎭

Interview Role-Play

We provide professional experienced actors to deliver realistic, effective training scenarios, no awkward co-worker role-play required.

🧠

Script Writing

We write original intelligent scripts, in co production with our clients, that highlight learning points, spark meaningful discussion and bring a refreshing dynamic and energy to your conferences or training days.

📂

Case Study Building

We help you shape rich, believable case studies that support actors in delivering powerful, realistic performances.

🎬

Training Film Production

From casting to cameras, we manage film projects for training, bringing in top-tier creatives from our network.

🗣️

Facilitation

Our expert facilitators guide reflective conversations around theatre-based scenarios.

🎤

Conference Launching

We open events with energy, thoughtful, creative theatre that grabs attention without the cringe.

👮

Police Interview Role Play Specialists

We provide actors for:

ABE interview practice

Advanced suspect & witness interviews

Family Liaison Officer training

🎭

Interview Role-Play

We provide professional experienced actors to deliver realistic, effective training scenarios, no awkward co-worker role-play required.

🧠

Script Writing

We write original intelligent scripts, in co production with our clients, that highlight learning points, spark meaningful discussion and bring a refreshing dynamic and energy to your conferences or training days.

📂

Case Study Building

We help you shape rich, believable case studies that support actors in delivering powerful, realistic performances.

🎬

Training Film Production

From casting to cameras, we manage film projects for training, bringing in top-tier creatives from our network.

🗣️

Facilitation

Our expert facilitators guide reflective conversations around theatre-based scenarios.

🎤

Conference Launching

We open events with energy, thoughtful, creative theatre that grabs attention without the cringe.

👮

Police Interview Role Play Specialists

We provide actors for:

ABE interview practice
Advanced suspect & witness interviews
Family Liaison Officer training

Our Clients Have Included:

What Our Clients Say

John Scorfield
Police Investigative Interviewing Trainer

“I've worked with Jo for over 10 years, and her contribution to our Police training has been exceptional. The actors she provides are professional, reliable and highly skilled, and consistently deliver realistic, dynamic role-plays that bring authenticity and enhance officer learning. Jo's commitment to quality and consistency has made her a trusted partner and we highly recommend her services to any organisation seeking excellence in training support.”

Dave Keech
Opto Training Ltd

“Opto TrainingcommisionsJo Haydock Theatre & Training Services on specialist training courses for law enforcement agencies and social care teams. Jo and her team are consummate professionals and provide a comprehensive and quality service. They are always well prepared and perform to a very high standard. They are able to play even the most traumatic roles with terrific realism, which vitally enhances the students learning experience.In course evaluations it is commonplace for the students to comment on the high quality of acting and acknowledge the benefit of engaging with Jo and her team in the learning environment.”

Barbara Simpson
Training for Children's Service - Lincs CC

“The sense of realism they create is incomparable. They tailor everything to the needs of the client, yet still generate ideas without diverting from the core purpose. Jo Haydocks leadership and management is both supportive and absolutely fit for purpose. They are very professional and a pleasure to work with.”

Andrew Harrison
AJH Training Ltd

“Jo Haydock Theatre & Training always provide a first class service.Jo, and all her actors approach their roles with real diligence, creating extremely realistic training scenarios. Jo herself is extremely personable. She has excellent communication skills, emotional intelligence and a lively sense of humour, which add to her rapport building skills. I would not hesitate to recommend Jo's Theatre and Training Services to any potential employer or for any project she chooses to work with.”

Dr Kerry Jones
Senior Lecturer in End-of-Life Care, Chair - The Open University

“Jo’s leadership has been instrumental in sharing our research on fathers’ experiences of baby loss at The Open University. Her skilful and empathetic use of theatre—through carefully crafted scripts and a practitioner workshop—brought rarely heard stories to life, enhancing care practice with insight and sensitivity.”

DC 16418 Jane Milner
Tier 5 Force Interview Advisor - GMP

“For over a decade, Jo Haydock and her team have provided exceptional support to our specialist interview courses, using skilled actors to deliver impactful role play sessions. Their flexibility, dedication, and ability to tailor characters to meet learning outcomes consistently exceed expectations. Jo’s involvement in standalone projects—from character development to final production—has been equally impressive. Student feedback is always positive, with many eager to engage with the actors afterwards.”

Dr Anna Hopkins
Office of Police and Crime - Commissioner's
Office. Lancaster

“I’ve collaborated with Jo Haydock on several Domestic Abuse projects, exploring the nuanced interactions between victims, perpetrators and police officers. Together we co-produced scripts rooted in my research, and Jo’s expertise brought those findings to life with impressive attention to detail and thoughtful storytelling. Her workshops have consistently received high praise from delegates, including frontline and senior officers, for deepening their understanding of domestic abuse policing. Jo is a brilliant, collaborative partner who ensures the theatre powerfully captures research findings and sparks meaningful discussion”

Sharon Faccinelli
Actor

“I’ve had the privilege of working with and for Jo on many occasions. I am always impressed how impactful her training is and how supported we are, as actors, in our roles. Her insight and experience in delivering believable characters enable both Actor and Client to embed new skills and sustain meaningful change. Jo’s genuine care shines through in everything she does.”

Leigh Symonds
Actor

“Jo is my favourite employer. The relationship between her and the client is always excellent which means the aims are clear and that gets the best out of everyone. It’s a very rewarding thing to help people communicate better.”

Lara Huitson
Retired Investigative Skills Trainer - Northumbria Police

“I’ve worked with Jo Haydock for three years delivering face-to-face investigative interviewing training for Police Detectives. Her insight and contribution are second to none. Jo hand-picks actors to suit each scenario, ensuring realism, adaptability, and professionalism. These are not robotic performers—they evolve their characters to enhance the training experience. Jo is a trusted partner, deeply committed to high-quality, authentic role play. She has been invaluable in working closely with the training team to develop new ideas and scenarios for future training courses.I highly recommend her to any organisation seeking excellence in training”.

Ready to elevate your training?

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