ID
This game involves players taking on different identities or roles that are suggested by the audience or the facilitator. The scene then develops as the players explore the relationships and dynamics between these assigned identities.
I Am A Tree
One player starts a tableau in an unusual or abstract physical position. Another player enters and interprets the first player’s position, assigning it a new identity (e.g., “I am a tree”). A third player then enters and interprets the combined tableau, and so on, building a collaborative, evolving image and narrative.
I Love You
Players must convey that they love each other without saying “I love you.” This game enhances non-verbal communication, emotional expression, and subtext.
I’m A…
Players form a tableau, announcing their position (e.g., “I’m a cup of coffee,” “I’m the spoon,” “I’m the drowning fly”). This encourages imaginative object work, physical representation of abstract ideas, and collaborative scene building.
Players stand in a circle and pass an imaginary ball around. The focus is on precision and consistency in mime; each player must “receive” and “throw” the ball with the same weight and characteristics established by the first player (e.g., a heavy bowling ball, a light beach ball, a sticky blob).
Imitate
One player performs an action or says a line of dialogue, and the next player must imitate that action or line exactly, before adding their own contribution to the scene. This game focuses on observation and precise replication.
Improv Zone
This refers to a state of heightened focus and presence in improv, where players are fully engaged with their scene partners and the unfolding reality of the scene. It’s a mental and emotional space where listening and spontaneous reactions are paramount, fostering a lighthearted atmosphere and boosting communication and connection.
Impro Catch
Players stand in a circle and pass an imaginary object around. As they “pass” the object, they must also verbally describe what the object is and how they are handling it (e.g., “I’m tossing you a hot potato,” “I’m gently handing you a delicate feather”). The receiver then physically reacts to the described object and passes on a new one. This game enhances physicality and imagination.
Impro Match
Two players perform a scene. Periodically, a facilitator will call out “Match!”, and the players must physically or emotionally match their partner’s last action or emotion, then continue the scene from that synchronized point.
In The Studio
Players take on the roles of artists, producers, or engineers in a recording studio, improvising a scene that revolves around the creation or production of a song, album, or other creative project. This game can incorporate musical elements and focuses on collaborative creativity.
Inanimate Objects
Improvisers become inanimate objects and perform a very short monologue describing their perspective, then perform a scene based on the interpersonal relationships of the objects.
Interpretive Dance
Players perform a pretentious dance routine to music, based on a title or events in someone’s day.
Introducing Association
Players stand in a circle. One player starts by introducing themselves and making a statement (e.g., “Hi, I’m Alex, and I like cats.”). The next player introduces themselves and makes a statement that is associated with the previous player’s statement (e.g., “Hi, I’m Ben, and cats make me think of warm blankets.”). This continues around the circle, building a chain of associations.
Irish Jig / Irish Drinking Song
Players improvise a song in the style of an Irish drinking song. One player typically starts a verse, and then others jump in with lines that rhyme or continue the narrative, often with a call-and-response structure and an upbeat, rhythmic feel.
Janus Dance
Two players face each other, but each takes on a distinct character or emotion. They then engage in a physical “dance” or movement sequence, where their actions and reactions are driven by their individual character while simultaneously trying to connect with their partner’s contrasting character. This game enhances focus and presence by requiring players to maintain their internal state while reacting externally.
Jeopardy
This game is played like the TV show “Jeopardy!” One player acts as the host, providing answers, and the other players must phrase their responses in the form of a question. The categories for answers can be audience suggestions or pre-determined, focusing on specific themes or types of knowledge, which helps to foster a lighthearted atmosphere.
Jump
A physical association warm-up. The leader calls out a player’s name. That player makes a small jump and strikes a random pose. The remaining players rush to that player and strike poses around them, creating a still scene or tableau.
Just Gibberish
Players perform a scene using only gibberish language, relying entirely on their tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language to convey meaning and emotion. This game significantly boosts communication and connection by forcing players to listen and respond non-verbally, and it often fosters a lighthearted atmosphere due to the inherent absurdity.
Justify
In this game, players are given an unexpected or illogical element in a scene (e.g., an object, an action, a character trait) and must justify its presence or meaning within the scene’s reality. This encourages creative problem-solving and finding logical explanations for absurdities, leading to strong communication and connection as players build on each other’s justifications.
