Simulated patients, also known as patient actors, are used to enhance fidelity and the quality of simulation learning experiences. Actors are particularly useful in complex communication scenarios that require students to draw on attributes of emotional and social intelligence. The quality of the simulation actors’ ‘performance’ is vital to successful simulation outcomes. This requires the development of specific skills. This presentation reports an interdisciplinary initiative involving the development of an education program designed to train drama students for simulated patient roles in health care simulations for Nursing and Midwifery. The program has established and education pathway for drama students undertaking elective courses during ‘Theatre Internship’ which allows students to engage in professional practice with a Theatre Company or within a Professional Theatre Project. Through involvement in Nursing and Midwifery education students obtain practical drama experience, which at the same time provides a service supporting education in other disciplines. This presentation will be of interest to academics and technical support staff who wish to develop simulated patient programs to augment simulation activity. The nature of the presentation will enable attendees to replicate this initiative. While established for Nursing and Midwifery the information provided in this presentation is transferable to other disciplines.