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
Competences
Association Circle
All players form a circle. One says a word to their neighbor. That neighbor associates a new word and passes it on, and so on around the ...
Association Walk
Everyone walks through the room. One player suddenly stops with a loud stomp and points at someone. Everyone freezes. The stomper says a...
Best Side Story
Two teams face each other. Team 1 begins a story. Each player steps forward and advances the narrative. When the other team notices hesit...
Boom Boom Chicago
This exercise trains quickly establishing scene information. Player 1 starts with a physical activity Player 2 enters and establishes t...
Building Images
Players walk around the room. The facilitator calls out objects or locations. Players immediately form the given thing using their bodies...
Category Circle
Players pass words from a category (e.g. vegetables, sports) crisscross through the circle. Each person has one turn per round. The patte...
Complement Exercise
Players form two lines on opposite sides of the stage. A player from line A starts a scene by establishing a character (e.g. a burglar). ...
Dissociation
Players stand in a circle. Each must respond to the previous word with something that has nothing to do with it. If a logical association...
Help!
2-4 players improvise a scene. The rest watches and stays ready. Whenever a player feels overwhelmed or stuck, they call 'Help!' and a wa...
Jeopardy
Like the TV show: one player gives an answer first, and the other must come up with the matching question. Player A: 'Forty-two.' Player...
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...
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...
New Choice
Rules Players perform a scene based on an audience suggestion. At any point during the scene, the Host may blow a whistle and call for a...
New Choice - Basic Information
This exercise trains quickly establishing basic scene information: Who are the characters? Where are they? What is their relationship? Wh...
Noun-Adjective Association
Two groups form facing lines. The first person says a noun and goes to the back of the opposite line. The person across associates an adj...
Opposites
The facilitator asks players to do the opposite of what is instructed. Speak quietly = speak loudly. Walk forward = walk backward. Stand...
Pair Association
Four or more players form a circle. Two step into the center. The circle counts down: 'Three, two, one!' Both center players simultaneous...
Perception Circle
In a circle, two types of signals are passed in opposite directions: 'Bunny': Hold index fingers up as ears, look at neighbor, say 'eee...
Rapid Fire Words
Two players face each other. Player 1 lists words for 30 seconds — whatever comes to mind (usually an associative chain forms). Then Play...
Rhyme Circle
One player in the circle says a word and points at another. That player must say a rhyming word and point at the next person, who rhymes ...
Scene Mix 10x20
10 different scenes with 2 players each, played in rapid succession. Each scene lasts exactly 20 seconds. The goal is to make the essenc...
Scene Starters
Players form two rows facing each other. In quick succession, each pair starts a scene. The goal is to establish basic information throug...
Spit-Fire
One player receives a topic and tells a story. On either side, two other players constantly shout random words. The storyteller must inco...
Thunderdome
Players form a circle. Two stand in the center facing each other. Someone from the circle gives a category (e.g. vegetables). The circle ...
Verbal Hunt
The facilitator fires rapid questions that players must answer using the association principle — as fast as possible. The questions shou...
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...