Drama Games
Drama Game: People, Shelter, Storm
Type: Warm-Up, Ensemble Building
Purpose: A fun game to get students comfortable with each other and working together.
Procedure:
1. Clear a large space for the playing area.
2. Divide the class into small groups; three players to a group.
3. Explain that within each group there will be two players who form a shelter, while the other player becomes the person living in the shelter. A shelter is formed by two players facing each other, arms extended high placing their palms flat against each other to create a “roof”. The person living in the shelter should duck underneath.
4. Explain that you are going to call out three words: “People”, “Shelter” or “Storm”.
5. When you call out “People”, the people must leave their shelters and run to a different one while the shelters stay in place.
6. Practice this a few times.
7. When you call out “Shelter”, the shelters must break apart and find a new person to build a shelter over.
8. Practice this a few times, adding in the “People” command as well.
9. Finally, when you call out “Storm”, everyone runs around for 5 seconds. At the end of 5 seconds new groups of 3 should form with 2 shelters and 1 person. During the “Storm”, shelters can become people and people can become shelters.
10. Continue playing the game, alternating between calling out “People”, “Shelter” or “Storm”.
NOTES:
– If you don’t have the right amount of students to divide evenly, the teacher or assistant may have to play.
– For slightly older students, consider making the game competitive by having the “caller” be a student. When “storm” is called the “caller” joins the game and tries to find a group of 3. Whoever is left out becomes the new “caller”.
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Variation:
Shelter can run together, holding arms together.
Variation2:
Caller can call: right side!( Then right side of shelter changes places)
Or: left side! (Then left side of shelters changes places)
Looks like my drama class is in for a fun “start up” today. Thanks again be press.
This game sounds perfect for my drama group of 6 year olds. I am going to try it out tomorrow. Thank you for sharing
i am leading this activity for my drama class, thanks it sounds fun
My students enjoyed playing it in my drama class.
Thank You,
Oya from İstanbul
Great game. Maybe useful to identify its origin – it comes from the community of Jana Sanskriti, one of the largest Theatre of the Oppressed organizations in the world, in Badu, outside of Kolkata, India. It’s a very lively game indeed!