FAQ

It’s time for everybody’s favorite Game Show: Frequently Asked Questions! This is where you’ll get your most burning questions answered on topics like, how exactly theater training relates to business, whether you can fly me to Paris for your event (spoiler alert: oui!),  or my biggest success story. Still have questions contact me.

Is The Mandeville Method right for my team?

Maybe!

The MM is all about practice. My most successful clients know that every new habit must be practiced and applied in day-to-day activities. Practice yields tangible results.

Like most things in life, you get out what you put in. If you and your team are committed to rolling up your sleeves and addressing challenges that negatively impact the business, the MM is 100% for you!

How do I get buy-in from my team? They’ve been burned before.

You don’t have to get buy-in. We take care of that for you. We’ve worked with every kind of audience, from funny and friendly marketing folks in NYC to stone-cold leadership teams in Paris. We’re confident we can make them see the value as soon as they walk in the door.

What results can I expect?

You can expect success stories that include, but are not limited to:

  • Fewer mistakes and redundancies
  • Increased efficiency and productivity
  • Decreased turnover and improved talent retention
  • More repeat business and happier clients
  • Greater accountability and autonomy
  • More time for business growth
  • Engagement and retention of top talent
What’s training with the MM like?

On-your-feet skills practice and practical, no-nonsense information, delivered with enough pizzazz to make it stick. We adjust performance style to fit your team, whether they’re serious engineers or a lively sales group. The goal is to make learning enjoyable while ensuring everyone grows.

Do I Need a Thick Skin to Work With You?

Not at all! The MM promotes kindness and respect, providing constructive feedback without making anyone feel bad. Our approach is to support and uplift your team, which makes the training effective.

Does the MM do Culture Shift?

Not directly, but indirectly, yes! Imagine telling your team you’re bringing in a culture guru to "fix" workplace toxicity. How do you think they’d react? With open arms? Probably not.

Enter “stealth culture shift”

However, a positive culture shift can occur organically when people communicate transparently and managers support their teams as people and employees. You may still want to bring in a culture guru, but their job will be much easier after working with the MM! 

What’s the origin story of the Mandeville Method?
When I first started training I didn’t get great feedback. I was 24, green as all get out, and had zero executive presence. Faced with the choice of losing the job or making an adjustment, I turned to my theater training and created the character of a woman who could command the respect of an executive audience. This exercise would become the foundation of the MM.
What specifically did you learn in theater that’s transferable to business?
Besides everything? I had one director who, at our first rehearsal, said “I want you to act full out, as if it were the final performance. Show me all your initial ideas. I’m going to use them to direct you. This is your show.”

This is a prime example of creating psychological safety, where people can learn, express feelings, and experiment without fear of failure — where their input is deemed not nice to have but NEED to have.
Do you do improv games? Will we be “emoting”?
Eh, no. Not unless you really want to. This is business training for business professionals presented in a business-like way. Improv games are fun, but I find they don’t transfer to business without full and lengthy immersion. We WILL practice real-life work scenarios and role play. Please note: there will be no emoting.
What’s your favorite food?
Wagyu beef, medium rare. Or potato chips. Any kind. Mmm crunchy savory …
What’s your favorite thing to train on?
I love all my MM children, but communication skills were my firstborn. Especially with a focus on presentation skills.
What's your biggest success story?
“Amy” was pitching her company’s startup for an accelerator contest. Her bosses said she was terrible and they wished she wasn’t doing it (I know… ouch!). The pitch coach working with the accelerator also said she was terrible (great coaching bud!). So, she paid out of pocket to work with me and the rest is history.

I boosted her confidence, gave her a better structure and flow for the data, and trained up her executive presence. On performance day she blew every other presenter out of the water! Better products than hers were left in the dust by the power of her pitch — the crowd went wild. And she won! 100 votes out of 108. I was like a proud mama.
What are your cat's names?
Shmeek and Shmook are brothers. Mouse and Petunia are like the Sharks and the Jets. (A West Side Story reference)
Do you travel or is all training done virtually?
I 100% prefer to work with clients face to face. Like in live theater, there’s an ineffable but undeniable exchange of energy in person that can’t be beat. So yes, I travel. Paris? Oui! China? dāng rán. Des Moines? If I must.
How do you work with global teams?
If we can’t come together in person I’ll work remotely. I do my best to research the countries we’re working with so I can understand and respect any cultural differences. I can also train on how to work with North American culture and accent modification for business clarity. I’ve been known to translate keywords on my PPT decks for maximum comprehension.
Favorite Broadway show?
Ohhh, that’s Sophie’s choice! The Mystery of Edwin Drood? Into the Woods? Sweeney Todd? Book of Mormon…ughhhh don't make me chooooose!
Do you still perform?
Only if you ask nicely.

What's the origin story of the Mandeville Method?

When I first started training I didn’t get great feedback. I was 24, green as all get out, and had zero executive presence. Faced with the choice of losing the job or making an adjustment, I turned to my theater training and created the character of a woman who could command the respect of an executive audience. This exercise would become the foundation of the MM.

What’s your biggest success story?

“Amy” was pitching her company’s startup for an accelerator contest. Her bosses said she was terrible and they wished she wasn’t doing it (I know… ouch!). The pitch coach working with the accelerator also said she was terrible (great coaching bud!). So, she paid out of pocket to work with me and the rest is history.


I boosted her confidence, gave her a better structure and flow for the data, and trained up her executive presence. On performance day she blew every other presenter out of the water! Better products than hers were left in the dust by the power of her pitch — the crowd went wild. And she won! 100 votes out of 108. I was like a proud mama.

Do you do improv games? Will we be “emoting”?

Eh, no. Not unless you really want to. This is business training for business professionals presented in a business-like way. Improv games are fun, but I find they don’t transfer to business without full and lengthy immersion. We WILL practice real-life work scenarios and role play. Please note: there will be no emoting.

How do you work with global teams?

If we can’t come together in person I’ll work remotely. I do my best to research the countries we’re working with so I can understand and respect any cultural differences. I can also train on how to work with North American culture and accent modification for business clarity. I’ve been known to translate keywords on my PPT decks for maximum comprehension.

What are your cat’s names?

Shmeek and Shmook are brothers. Mouse and Petunia are like the Sharks and the Jets. (A West Side Story reference)

Favorite Broadway show?

Ohhh, that’s Sophie’s choice! The Mystery of Edwin Drood? Into the Woods? Sweeney Todd? Book of Mormon…ughhhh don’t make me chooooose!

What specifically did you learn in theater that’s transferable to business?

Besides everything? I had one director who, at our first rehearsal, said “I want you to act full out, as if it were the final performance. Show me all your initial ideas. I’m going to use them to direct you. This is your show.”

This is a prime example of creating psychological safety, where people can learn, express feelings, and experiment without fear of failure — where their input is deemed not nice to have but NEED to have.

Do you travel or is all training done virtually?

I 100% prefer to work with clients face to face. Like in live theater, there’s an ineffable but undeniable exchange of energy in person that can’t be beat. So yes, I travel. Paris? Oui! China? dāng rán. Des Moines? If I must.

What’s your favorite thing to train on?

I love all my MM children, but communication skills were my firstborn. Especially with a focus on presentation skills.

What’s your favorite food?

Wagyu beef, medium rare. Or potato chips. Any kind. Mmm crunchy savory …

Favorite cocktail?

Winter: a dry Manhattan, up with a twist. Summer: a Vesper or a Feline (a secret recipe).

Do you still perform?

Only if you ask nicely.

Discover the Method

Hi, I’m Stacee, founder of The Mandeville Method.  

Ping pong tables don’t solve people problems, I do.

Let’s discover who’s punching holes in your bottom line, and how we can turn your people problems into power profits.