Indoor adventure training: a dramaturgical approach to management development

Adventure training (AT) as a movement has its origins in outdoor-based expe riential programs such as "outward bound". Recently, educators have questio ned the educational value of the "outdoor" component of AT and there is an opinion that it is the novelty of the setting/ activities and the provision of psychological (rather than physical) risk that are its key elements. Wi th this in mind, indoor adventure training (IAT) offers new possibilities f or management training and development. Indoor-based experiential education removes uncontrollable outdoor factors such as climate, danger, emotional distress and the need for physical abilities. These outdoor factors can be replaced by educational drama elements that encourage engagement, fantasy a nd meaning through theatre form. In this paper the theoretical development of IAT is discussed and an outline is given of a revolutionary IAT approach that immerses participants in a themed dramatic experience with the purpos e of developing such things as learning about teamwork, problem solving and communication skills.