THEATRE GAMES: WARM UPS

Learn each others names, and test memory skills, as a cast begins to work together as a team.

Students create stories and loosen up through making sounds to set the scene of the story described.

A fun way for students to develop and appreciate vocal projection.

This activity builds cooperation and trust and is a great beginning activity for new casts and/or theatre groups.

This exercise helps allow students to learn and use their vocabulary words. Also, it helps them get used to improv.

"Duck, Duck, Goose" becomes an acting game when the "Goose" is replaced with anything the leader calls out.  A great game to break down inhibitions and introduce the concept of "always saying yes."

In this exercise, one student will walk across the circle, focusing on the emotional state and attitude of a character and how that might be heightened from a 1 level to a 10 level.

A musical mingle and guessing game for students as they take on different characters.

Handholding exercise used to facilitate a solid sense of ensemble.

To take on the persona of the last person that gets into the taxi.

YES! is a deceptively simple yet effective concentration and ensemble building game.  The game can be played with new groups or groups who know each other well.

A fun and quick character creation/transformation/improv game.  The kids LOVE it and would play it all through rehearsal if I let them!

This is an opening for long form improvisation.  It uses audience suggestion and the imagination and physicality of the players.   Actors become inanimate objects as well as people, physically creating a setting as well as characters.

This is a fun and imaginative warm up for any group.  It encourages movement and a nonthreatening way to free one's imagination.

Today you are not going to portray your character... you are going to become someone elses character. 

Students watch one another and imitate one another's physical actions.  The prompts for movement can be motivated or just fun improvisational.  Students can explore their physical instrument and expand the limits of their creativity.  (Also good for getting students (and directors!) to learn names of their fellow students.)

Translating a scenario by acting it out.

This game can go on for hours as groups begin to trust and enjoy the process of working as an ensemble.  In theory, it is like one large mirror activity, however, coach should encourage movement and vocal involvement in the exercise.  The purpose is not to mirror perfectly, but to move, breath and begin to think as one connected ensemble.  Best for creating a sense of unity and a wonderful physical warm-up.  I learned this one at the National Theatre of Great Britain while attending a post-graduate actor training program.  

This is a fun game used to cultivate teamwork while warming up physically and vocally.

Intro pantomime activities to break the ice the first few days of class.

Develop character by discussing statements such as: If my character were a color...If my character were a food...If my character were a book...If my character were a kitchen appliance...If my character were a vacation...If my character were an animal..If my character were a magazine...etc.

Students establish a instant spirit of ensemble by clapping in unison with the person to their left or right depending on the directing of the clapping wave. 

I find that often, especially at an after-school rehearsal, my performers come in dragging, and just need a little exercise to "jazz them up." The following list is comprised of several of my favorites:

I find that often, especially at an after-school rehearsal, my performers come in dragging, and just need a little exercise to "jazz them up." The following list is comprised of several of my favorites:

To mold students into shapes and have them use their creativity to name their creations.

To complete a scene in three minutes using the standard 3 point storyline.

Articulation exercises relax the mouth and is good practice for an actor's voice and characterization.

Combinging physical activity with verbal exercise to help the brain organize and focus effectively through rhythm and clapping.

A trial of memory and improvization, this game allows for creativity and on the spot contribution to complete the alphabet.

To develop improvisational skills, use creative imagination, analyze behavior and activities of others, and make appropriate dialogue choices by exchanging presents.

To get students moving, thinking fast and on their feet through improvisation.

To get the class warmed up and in their bodies, while paying attention to their fellow participants.

A great warm up, to learn names of fellow cast members/classmates or to help build cooperation and teamwork.