8 Things Description Everyone stands in a circle. Someone jumps in to the middle and is given a category. They say 8 things from that category, and after each one the rest of the group counts and supports the idea enthusiastically. They don’t need to be correct, they could be unrelated or imaginary. Example Gary[…]
Character Bench Description Five actors sat in a row. They are all the same character type, for instance they all went to school together or they all were in a space station together. Teacher asks them questions which they answer, and they all agree with the first answer rather than distract from it. Improvisers encourage[…]
Piece of Cheese Description In a circle one person jumps in and stands in the shape of cheese and says “I’m a piece of cheese”. Someone else jumps in with something obvious that goes with that offer (“I’m a cracker”), another person adds to it and creates a united picture (“I’m a glass of wine”).[…]
Synchronised Clapping Description Everyone stood in a circle. Two people next to each other turn and face and clap at the same time. One turns to the next person, and they also clap at the same time. This continues around the circle. If people clap twice it changes the direction, and people can also clap[…]
Wise Wise Wise Description The group stands in a circle, and a speaking a word at a time they make up proverbs and wise sayings. When they think the proverb is finished the group says “wise wise wise” and bow. Example Player 1: Consider Player 2: yourself Player 3: when Player 4: you Player 5:[…]
Action and Justify Description In pairs, one improviser does a physical action. Their partner justifies what they are doing, and they agree on what has been established. Example Gerald: Puts arms above his head Susanne: We’re so ready for this synchronised dive. Gerald: Yes, I’m so happy we made it to the Olympic final. Teaching[…]
Yes And Description Players do a scene where every sentence starts with the words “Yes and”. Example Player A: Welcome agent, this is a very important mission. Player B: Yes, and it’s top secret! Player A: Yes, and we’d better get cracking! Player B: Yes, and I’ll go in first and you follow behind. Player[…]
Yes Based Conversations Description In pairs, players have a conversation where they give each other lots of offers/statements, and say the word “yes” lots. Example Sam: Let’s go to the beach on Sunday. Wilfred: Yes, let’s take our buckets and spades. Sam: Yes that sounds great, let’s make sandcastles. Wilfred: Yes, I love building. Variations[…]
Yeah Yeah Yeah Description In pairs, one person starts telling a story. While they’re telling the story the other person enthusiastically nods with their whole body and says “yeah yeah yeah”. They take over telling the story, adding to it, and they keep swapping. Variations Can also be played starting with “do you remember that[…]
Story Conductor Description Team of five improviser stood in an arc, and one improviser in front of them (Story Conductor). Whoever the Story Conductor points to starts telling the story and when they point to someone else the other person takes over. Teaching Purpose Trains improvisers to listen, yes and, and play as a team.[…]
Story Swap Description In pairs one person starts telling a story. When the director claps their hands the other person in the pair takes over telling the story. They continue swapping every time the director claps. Teaching Purpose Gets people to listen, yes and, and not think ahead/be able to drop ideas. Subscribe to[…]
Machine Description Half of the workshop group stand along the back wall. The audience suggest machines, vehicles or animals (e.g. washing machine, microwave, tractor, aircraft carrier, elephant) and the groups standing physically become those machines as a team by coming in one by one and physically becoming different moving parts of the machine. They don’t[…]