Improv Games List - Part 2

Welcome to the second part of our dive into improv exercises....

Point and Say

• Aims: Explore how judgement affects our creativity

• Instructions: Working independently, ask participants to point at objects and features in the room and name them out loud (e.g. ‘door’, ‘chair’, ‘smoke alarm’, ‘sticker’). Then ask them to do the same but name the previous object they pointed to (e.g. pointing at chair ‘door’, pointing at smoke alarm ‘chair’). Then ask them to point at objects and say anything other than the object (e.g. hairdryer, spain, bungalow). Bring the group back together, and ask them to reflect on how they found the three options. Did they like the pattern of the rule, did they self edit eg not repeat words or categories? The last category had only one way to be wrong yet it feels the most daunting.

• Keywords: Focus, Words, Judgement, Creativity, Challenge.

Badoodoo

• Aims: Foster creativity and expression.

• Instructions: Players take turns saying a word inspired by the previous participant, followed by both words together and "badoodoo"

  • E.g. Player 1 “cat”, Player 2 “treat” “cat treat badoodoo. treat” Player 3 “cookie” “treat cookie badoodoo. Cookie”

• Keywords: Creativity, Expression, Rhythm, Fun, Playfulness.

Yes And

·  Aims: To foster creativity, adaptability, and collaborative storytelling.

· Instructions:

• No, But: One participant starts a story with a statement. The next person responds with "No, but" followed by a modification of the story that changes its direction while introducing a new element.

• Yes, But: The next person continues with "Yes, but" and adds to the story while introducing a complication or twist.

• Yes, And: Finally, the next participant says "Yes, and," agreeing with the previous statement and building on it to further the story positively.

·  Adaptations: Set a time limit for each response to keep the pace quick. Use specific themes or genres for the story (e.g., fantasy, mystery). Limit the number of words in each response to increase the challenge.

·  Keywords: Collaboration, Creativity, Storytelling, Adaptability, Improv.

That's Right Bob

• Aims: Build confidence and encourage positive reinforcement.

• Instructions: In small groups, the aim is to be tv hosts on a shopping channel selling a brand new product. You each respond with "That's right, Bob!" to affirm and encourage the storyteller.

• Adaptations: Do either in groups, or with an audience. The audience can help to come up with the product. Combining different categories works well e.g. a household appliance and a sport.

• Keywords: Affirmation, Storytelling, Encouragement, Group Dynamics, Fun.

Shall We Tell a Story?

• Aims: Foster collaboration in storytelling.

• Instructions: Participants sit in a circle. One person starts a story with a sentence, and each person adds a sentence in turn, building on the previous one.

• Adaptations: Set a theme or genre for the story; limit each contribution to a certain number of words.

• Keywords: Collaboration, Storytelling, Creativity, Circle, Imagination.

Give a Gift

• Aims: Promote imagination and generosity in sharing ideas.

• Instructions: Participants take turns miming giving a gift to another person, who then expresses gratitude and describes why the gift is perfect for them e.g. I’ve always wanted one because….

• Adaptations: Use different types of gifts (e.g., abstract concepts)

• Keywords: Imagination, Generosity, Mime, Yes and, Creativity, Sharing.

Happy Yes

• Aims: Encourage positivity and affirmative responses.

• Instructions: You are going to tell a story. Player 2 will come up with the next idea, and Player 1 has the choice to move forward or wait for the next idea. Player 1 can say What comes first, What comes next, and can answer Yes or No (making the no sound very happy).

  • Player 1: What comes first?

  • Player 2: We start walking up a mountain

  • Player 1: Yes! What comes next?

  • Player 2: We make a camp

  • Player 1: No, what else?

• Adaptations: Change the theme to focus on specific emotions or scenarios.

• Keywords: Positivity, Affirmation, Support, Encouragement, Group Energy.