Infinite Box Description In pairs, one holds an infinite box while the other pulls objects out of it, naming them as they go. The person holding the box offers encouragement. Swap over roles. Subscribe to Our Newsletter If you would like to receive our monthly newsletter containing helpful improv resources, improv exercises, casting calls[…]
Permission to Move Description This is a circle name game. Have one person point to another and say that person’s name. If they are correct, the person will say “Yes”. The pointer will move over to where that person is as the named person points to someone else and says their name. Subscribe to Our[…]
Interloper Description An open scene where one actor waits in the wings for the director to say ‘interloper’ at which point they join the scene. Subscribe to Our Newsletter If you would like to receive our monthly newsletter containing helpful improv resources, improv exercises, casting calls for new shows and news about the UK[…]
Name Circles Description Go around the circle and listen to everyone’s names. Point to one person and say their name. If you get it wrong, they will correct you, if you get it right, they will point to another person and say their name. Then split into two circles. If you hesitate or mess up[…]
Two very different exercises both get called Park Bench, here are both of them. Park Bench of Truth Remarkably simple yet powerful exercise. One improviser is sat on a park bench, pretty much as themselves or a character pretty close to themselves. Another improviser comes and joins them and sits on the bench with them.[…]
Loserball Description In a circle, an invisible ball is passed from person to person. Every single person misses the ball which is met with supportive cheers from everyone else. They pick up the ball and throw it to someone else. Teaching Purpose Enjoy failing. Origin This game is from Jill Bernard. Subscribe to Our Newsletter[…]
Jump Rope Description A circle game. One person gets eye contact with the person one-away to their right. They both clap low down to the ground at the same time. As they do this, the person in the middle of them jumps in the air as if they are swinging a rope under them. The[…]
Personalize it! Description Have two lines of students (so, each facing a partner). Ask one line to think of a fact, it doesn’t have to be clever, just true and not about them or their partner; like, ‘grass is green’. They will deliver their fact as an initiation. The job of their partner is to[…]
I’ve Got a Word That Rhymes With… Description One person stands in the middle of the circle. They secretly choose a word. They choose a word that rhymes with their secret word and declare this out loud. [if their secret word was fox] “I’ve got a word that rhymes with locks” Anyone on the outside[…]
Hot Spot Description It’s a circle game with one person starting in the middle. The person in the middle sings any existing song. You don’t need to be able to sing well or remember all the words! As soon as they sing, everyone else should join in (even if they are guessing how the song[…]
Grandmother’s Footsteps Description An old children’s game. One person is Grandmother or Grandfather, standing with their back to the class. Everyone else has to sneak up and try and touch them on the shoulder. The Grandparent can turn around whenever they want and if they catch anyone moving that person goes back to the beginning[…]
Giving a Gift Description In pairs, one improviser mimes giving an object to the other. The second improviser thanks them and names the object “Thanks for this tiny horse”. It doesn’t need to be the same as what the original improviser thought it was. They swap so the other improviser gives a gift and the[…]