- Category: Warm-Up, Focus, Observation, Mimicry, Acceptance
- CLICK HERE to download PDF
Pass the Face
How To Play
Here’s how teachers can lead “Pass the Face” in their classrooms:
- Setup: Have all students stand in a circle.
- Introducing the Game: Explain that you’ll be playing “Pass the Face,” a game focused on mimicry, observation, and acceptance.
- Demonstrate the Pass:
- Start by creating a unique sound, face, and gesture.
- Pass this combination to the person immediately to your left.
- Explain that the goal is for the next person to mimic exactly what was sent to them and then pass it on to the next person in the same way.
- Emphasize Accurate Mimicry & Acceptance:
- Stress the importance of trying to mimic exactly what’s passed, rather than deliberately changing it. Frame this as a team effort: “Don’t change it on purpose. That’s ego or insecurity, saying my ideas are better, which is the opposite of team.”
- Crucially, instruct players to accept any organic changes that occur naturally as the “face” goes around the circle. It’s about accepting and building, not mocking or correcting. Reinforce that “mistakes” are actually gifts in improv.
- Remind students that as the “face” travels around the circle, they should accept exactly what the person right before them offers, even if it’s different from what you started with.
- Game Play:
- Begin by passing your initial sound, face, and gesture.
- The “face” will then travel around the circle, with each person trying their best to accurately mimic and pass it on.
- Go around the circle a few times, encouraging the flow.
- Periodically, you can change the direction of the pass (e.g., call out to send it to the right) or introduce a new initial offer yourself to restart the chain with a fresh “face.”
- Throughout the game, encourage students to listen with their eyes! They should follow the changes around the circle, noticing subtle shifts in features, arms, or legs, and when someone picks up on those small details.
- Embrace all organic changes, including perceived mistakes or spontaneous laughter. These elements contribute to the fun and surprising moments of the game.
Remember:
- The core of this game is accepting and building on the offers made by others.
- Focus on active listening and observation to accurately mimic the passed “face.”
- Embrace the organic changes and “mistakes”—they often lead to the most fun and surprising moments in the game, turning perceived flaws into valuable “gifts” for the ensemble.
Benefits
- Enhances Focus and Presence: Requires intense visual and auditory focus to accurately receive and pass the combination.
- Boosts Communication and Connection: Promotes non-verbal communication and builds strong group connection through shared mimicry and acceptance.
- Fosters a Lighthearted Atmosphere: The inherent silliness of the faces and sounds, combined with the acceptance of “mistakes,” creates a fun, low-pressure, and supportive environment.
- Develops Observation Skills: Trains students to pay close attention to subtle details in expression, sound, and movement.
- Promotes Adaptability & Acceptance: Teaches players to be flexible and accept whatever is offered, rather than trying to control the outcome.
This game sounds like a fantastic way to warm up a group and emphasize some core improv principles! What other games are you looking to format?
