Arpeggio Description A musical improv warm up from Phil Lunn. An arpeggio can also be called a ‘broken chord’, and it’s where we sing the notes of a chord sequentially, rather than all together. Think of the piano underneath “Unchained Melody”, “Everybody Hurts”, or “Walking in Memphis”. It’s hard to describe in writing! The first[…]
Diddly Dum Description In a circle pass round the phrase “Diddly dum diddly dum diddly diddly diddly dum”, one person saying a word at a time. Then everyone starts walking around the room, passing the words with their eyes. Then add variations, e.g. “twiddly dee twiddly dee twiddly twiddly twiddly dee” Teaching Purpose A great[…]
Sing It Description This starts as a normal scene. At any time, the host/audience volunteer can yell “Sing It” and the player who said the last line will sing/rap a song based on that last line of dialogue. The singer is in charge of deciding the length of the song, and after the song is[…]
Greatest Hits Description The game will be hosted by two people telling us about the new Greatest Hits Album based on the one word suggestion. Four “singers” will be standing by to sing the greatest hits song suggested. One, Two, Three or all Four may step up and sing the song. Subscribe to Our[…]
Typewriter Description The narrator starts the scene by reading aloud as they types. As soon as the Narrator has given a few elements, the players take over and start playing the scene. At any point, the Narrator can take over again, perhaps switch to another location, introduce new characters, provide twists or flashbacks. Example Author:[…]
Stunt Doubles Description Two players start a scene, with the other two players offstage. Every so often, when an action is about to happen (it doesn’t have to be big), the host will yell “Stunt doubles!” and the other two players will come in the scene and act out the action in slow motion without[…]
I love you Description Two players improvise a scene and at some point in the scene they have to say I love you to each other and mean it. The scene may end at that moment or carry on. Example Hubert: Would you like a tea m’Lady? Lady Penelope: Yes please Hubert. You do look[…]
Stories from Grandpa Description Like “Lines From A Hat,” the cast gets audience members to write phrases or scraps of dialogue on pieces of paper before the scene starts. The performer then starts telling a story to the audience, playing a grandfather. The performer frequently incorporates the provided phrases into the story by picking up[…]
Rewrite History Description Replay a famous moment in history. Because it is improvised, everything will turn out differently. Show what really happened, not what the revisionists recorded. 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[…]
Rewind/Fast-Forward Description Start a scene and it runs for a bit. Off stage players can shout rewind/play/pause/fast forward and the scene players rewind etc repeating their lines in reverse order etc. Subscribe to Our Newsletter If you would like to receive our monthly newsletter containing helpful improv resources, improv exercises, casting calls for new[…]
Puppets Description Two players play a scene but they can’t move their bodies until two other improvisers move them. They can move their eyes and mouth to speak, but all other movements come from the “puppeteers” moving them. To make the puppet improviser take a step to walk the puppeteer improviser taps them behind their[…]
Pop-Up Book Description One character narrates a story and the others lie down on the ground as if pressed between the pages of an enormous book. The narrator turns a giant page and the players pop up and pose. The narrator pulls a tab or turns a dial or other typical functions of a pop-up[…]