I’m a Piece of Cheese (Three in a Circle/I am a Whisk) Everyone in a circle. One person hops out and says “I’m a piece of cheese” and becomes that piece of cheese. One by one other improvisers come out and become obvious things to go with that offer, until one overall united picture is[…]
Leading with Body Parts Description Ask people to walk around the room. Tell them to walk as if they are being pulled by a rope attached to their belly. Ask them to exaggerate it. Ask them if this was a character, who would they be. Ask questions about this character (age, gender, job, anything). Get[…]
One Minute Life Story Description In pairs. One person says their life story in one minute. The other person listens and doesn’t interrupt. At the end of the minute the listener repeats back as much as they remember. Used to get to know each other and show active listening. Subscribe to Our Newsletter If[…]
Premise Lawyer Description Often done in pairs or small groups around the room. One improviser suggests an out-there or completely nonsense belief and the other improviser comes up with a reason why this is true to help it feel as believable as possible Example Improviser 1: Cats should rule the world. Improviser 2: Of course,[…]
Scene and Character Walkabout Description Everyone walks around the room. The teacher asks them to stop and pair up with the closest person next to them. The teacher gives a suggestion of a type of character, emotion or location for a scene. Everyone plays that scene simultaneously with their partner. After a minute or so[…]
Space Jump Description One person starts a scene by themselves on stage. When the host says “JUMP” they freeze and hold position. Someone else then comes in and starts a new scene inspired by that position. Scene continues until host says “JUMP” and then someone else enters and a new scene starts with 3 people.[…]
Repeat and Add Description One person says a line, their partner repeats the line and then adds information in keeping with the line. The first person then repeats the new information and adds more, etc. Subscribe to Our Newsletter If you would like to receive our monthly newsletter containing helpful improv resources, improv exercises,[…]
Storyteller Die Description All the cast stood in a line. Whoever is pointed to says the story. When someone else is pointed to they take over exactly where they left off. If they don’t follow on or stumble the audience shout DIE and that actor leaves with a bow.
Taxi Driver Description One improviser plays a ‘big’ character who drives a taxi (an alien, a vampire, an ancient being, a psychopath, etc – they choose). The other improviser steps into their cab playing very close to themselves. They cannot get out of the taxi… At the end of the scene, the passenger becomes a[…]
Is there any more? Description We originally were taught this by Kevin Tomlinson. Here’s an example of it: Brian – does small sound and action Sarah – That’s great! Brian – Thank you Sarah – Is there anymore? Brian – Yes! Escalates his original sound and action. Sarah – That’s great! And it continues repeating[…]
Ad Game Description Five players have several tasks to complete during a scene set in an enthusiastic advertising agency. Every idea that gets set is immediately and enthusiastically agreed with and supported. They must agree on the name of a product, tagline of the product, who would be the celebrity endorsing the product, what would[…]
Anecdotes Descriptions Three improvisers (can be more than three) play characters that have been best friends since they were kids. They will tell the audience about an event that happened to all three of them together and everyone can remember it and was in their right mind. Get a suggestion of what it was (when[…]