At New York Improv Theater, we know laughter is a powerful learning tool, and improv games are a fantastic way to energize any classroom. We often partner with educators, sharing techniques that not only make lessons more engaging but also build essential life skills. This collection of ten dynamic improv games is perfect for larger groups of four or more players, making them ideal for shows, classes, or even just a fun jam session. These are the same effective exercises we use in our corporate training and professional development workshops for teachers and staff. Get ready to watch your participants enhance focus and presence, boost communication and connection, and foster a lighthearted atmosphere—all through the joy of play! Have fun!
1. Objections
This lively debate game gets a large group involved. Create a back line of players as “lawyers,” with an MC/Judge moderating. The game starts with a silly debate topic (e.g., “Coke versus Pepsi”). A lawyer presents an argument, and others can shout “Objection!” or “I Object!”1. The judge rules on the objection (Sustained or Overruled), determining if the new lawyer takes over the spotlight.
2. World’s Worst
Get ready for some truly terrible character work in this group game! Players line up facing the audience, and the MC requests a job, activity, or event (e.g., “World’s Worst Dentist,” “World’s Worst Vacation,” “World’s Worst Babysitter”). One by one, players step forward to portray the “world’s worst” version of the given suggestion, focusing on character and pantomime rather than just jokes. The MC can “buzz” them off, and they return to the line.
3. Freeze Tag
This dynamic scene game is excellent for multiple players. Two players start a scene based on an audience-suggested location6666. After a few lines, another player (or the MC) yells “Freeze!”7. The two players hold their exact pose. A new player taps one of the frozen players, takes their exact physical position, and immediately starts a new scene, with new characters and a new “who, where, what” inspired by the pose.
We use these games almost daily to teach k12 students improv comedy, but more importantly, simply playing these games develops listening, focus, self-confidence, creativity, critical thinking, public speaking, community, leadership & more! This summer we have 8 teaching artists delivering daily classes via residencies at schools & summer camps. Meanwhile other casts are popping in for a day of shows & workshops DC to Boston. Bring these programs to your community! EMAIL for more information!
4. Freeze Frame / Human Slide Show
Transform your stage into a living photo album with this group game! The MC asks for a famous historical event, a vacation, a party, or another scenario. Players (and optionally audience volunteers) create a series of “human slides” by striking and holding poses10. One or two narrators then describe each “slide,” weaving a story around the frozen images. Typically, five slides are created to tell the narrative.
5. Three Headed Expert
This collaborative game puts three or more players together as one “expert.” Players stand shoulder-to-shoulder, forming a single “Professor”. The audience (or MC) asks questions, and the players answer one word at a time, speaking in an established order to form cohesive sentences.
6. Park Bench
This sequential scene game uses a single location to connect multiple two-person scenes, making it excellent for large groups. Two chairs are placed center stage, representing a park bench. Two players begin a 45-60 second conversation on the bench, establishing characters and their “who, where, what”. In the next scene, one of the original players remains, and a new player joins, continuing the story with the returning character.
7. Four Square
Four Square is a dynamic game that simultaneously runs four distinct scenes, ideal for a group of four players (or three with an audience volunteer). Players stand in a square formation, with two downstage and two upstage. The MC introduces four scene titles/suggestions (e.g., location, job, relationship). The downstage pair performs their scene until the MC yells “Rotate!”. Players then rotate to a new position, and a new scene is performed by the pair now downstage. Each scene has its own “who, where, what”. After all four scenes are introduced, the game returns to scene one, often picking up where it left off, or even years later.
Why should the kids have all the fun? Improvisation is a powerful tool for corporate groups. We daily use improv to teach team building, leadership, sales and service skills. Bring your teams to our Times Square Theater or bring our teaching artists to you offices or other venue of choice. EMAIL for more information!
8. Conducted Story
In this game, a group of players collaborates to tell a single story, led by an MC acting as a conductor. Players stand in a line facing the audience, while the MC faces the players with their back to the audience. The conductor points to one player, who immediately begins speaking, continuing the story. The moment the conductor moves their hand away, the player must stop, even mid-sentence or mid-word, and the next designated player takes over when pointed to. The key is to pick up seamlessly where the previous speaker left off.
9. What Are You Doing?
This fast-paced game helps develop quick thinking and pantomime skills, making it suitable for a line or circle of players. The MC gets an audience suggestion for an activity (work, hobby, etc.). The first player acts out this activity. Another player steps up almost immediately and asks, “What are you doing?”. The first player, while continuing their original activity, responds with a new and different activity (e.g., if they were “cooking,” they might say, “I’m swimming!”). The player who asked then immediately begins to pantomime the new activity, and the game continues with the next player asking “What are you doing?”.
10. Categories
This energetic warm-up game is excellent for a large group to practice quick association and listening. Players stand in a line. The MC assigns a category (e.g., colors, cars, foods). The MC then points to one player at a time, who must quickly exclaim an item within that category without repeating an answer given by another player. To add a challenge and fun, if a player repeats an answer or takes too long, the audience (or team) can “Meow!”
Join us for weekly shows, classes and jams. We daily host corporate teams and student groups at our Times Square NYC theater as well as tour schools, community centers, and private events DC to Boston to Pittsburg and beyond! CLICK HERE for upcoming public shows. CLICK HERE for upcoming classes & jams. EMAIL for information regarding private shows & group sales.
You must be logged in to post a comment.