Improv Exercises
Here you can find a collection of exercises for improv theatre. These exercises are intended to train specific aspects and skills in a targeted manner. The transition from exercises to games is fluid. What is still an exercise for one, the other brings as a game on stage. Please do not take over the individual exercises blindly, but think about the goals and intentions of each exercise.
Categories
Experience
Energy
Counting Circle
Everyone stands in a circle. The group must count to double the number of participants — so each person says two numbers. All close thei...
Diaphragm Training
A voice preparation exercise. The group stands in a circle. The facilitator sets a beat and everyone joins in. Three consonants are spok...
Empty Lungs
Players breathe in deeply and then walk through the room while continuously exhaling with a toneless 'shh' sound. They keep walking and e...
Encounters
The group splits into As and Bs. Both groups walk around the room. The As have high status, the Bs have low status. The As make eye conta...
Facial Expressions
All walk through the room. The facilitator names a facial feature — nose, ears, forehead, eyes, mouth, cheeks, tongue. Everyone moves tha...
Following Movement Impulses
Players lie relaxed on the floor with eyes closed. They tune into their body and follow any movement impulse — a twitch, an urge to stret...
Follow the Follower
Several players perform a specific action simultaneously without a designated leader. No one decides when to start or change — the group ...
Gossip Sisters
Two groups (A and B) of equal size. Group A forms a tight circle in the center and whispers as quietly as possible about a topic. Group B...
Held Still Then Walk
A quiet body awareness exercise. Players walk through the room, then form pairs of similar height. In each pair, one stands behind the o...
Hitting the Note
A well-known song is sung, but each syllable is sung as briefly as possible — just a quick tap on each note. This exercise trains the ab...
Human Wall
For larger groups (10+). All players except one line up against a wall. Player A stands facing them at a distance, then runs toward the w...
Leading Exercises
Pair exercises where one player closes their eyes and the other leads them through the room in various ways: Leading by the hand Leadin...
Look and Die
All players stand in a circle looking at the floor. The facilitator calls 'Now!' and everyone instantly looks up at one other player. If...
Movement Impulse Through Touch
Players form pairs. One stands with closed eyes. The other gently taps various body parts. At each touch, the standing player responds by...
Name Circle
Players form pairs and exchange names — each takes the other's name. One person is left without a partner and keeps their own name. This...
On the Line
All players stand side by side on a line, facing forward. Space is needed in front, behind, left, and right. Phase 1: The facilitator ca...
Step Forward - Step Back
Players stand in a circle holding hands, looking at each other. After a moment, the facilitator counts: 'One... two... three.' On 'three...
Traffic Light
This exercise trains perception, walking, encounters, status, and physicality. Two groups stand on opposite sides of a wide space — like...
Vocal Warm-up
Exercise 1: Everyone sings a simple well-known song in various keys set by the musician. Exercise 2: The musician plays a note, everyone...
Voice Volume Training
A sustained tone is sung with the throat as open as possible (like yawning) without opening the mouth too wide. Feel the vibration in the...
Vowel Singing
Players stand relaxed in a circle and sing five vowels in sequence: I - E - A - O - U. Imagine each vowel resonating in a different part...
Walking and Standing
Players distribute themselves evenly and stand still. The facilitator calls a number — that many players may walk while everyone else rem...
Where Is...?
Players walk attentively through the room. The facilitator says 'Stop' — everyone freezes and closes their eyes. The facilitator names s...
Wink Murderer
All players walk through the room. One is secretly the murderer who kills by winking. Victims fall dramatically dead. Everyone tries to i...
Yawning Exercise
All players walk through the room and yawn as loudly as possible. Notice how the sound comes from deep in the throat. Then try speaking ...
Yes - No
Players form pairs. One can only say 'Yes', the other only 'No'. Despite this limitation, they have a full conversation using tone, volum...