Type: Improv, Creativity
Purpose: A fast-paced improv game to help students quickly establish relationships. Involves the whole class. Best for slightly older students.
Procedure:
1. Have the class stand in a circle.
2. Ask one player to stand in the center.
3. Tell everyone in the circle they have 15 seconds to think of a specific relationship and situation they have with the person standing in the center (i.e. a robber breaking into a his house, a young sibling asking for help with homework, a parent reading his terrible report card, a stranger asking for directions, etc.)
4. One by one, each player steps into the center and interacts with the center player with one line of dialogue. The center player, without being told the relationship, must respond with one line as quick as he can.
5. The game ends when everyone around the circle has had a chance to interact with the center player.
NOTE: In the beginning, you may need to take it slow, but as the kids get better encourage them to speed up the pace.
VARIATION: For more advanced students: After a few rounds, allow the greeting to turn into mini scenes. Then when the next player steps into the circle, challenge the students to make the scenes build upon each other to build a narrative.
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At Beat by Beat we’re passionate about inspiring kids through theatre. That’s why we create and publish a unique collection of plays for kids and teaching drama resources.
I’m particularly looking for drama activities for ages 4,5,6,7 – very hard to find – can you help?
Hi Robyn, check out Teaching Drama to Little Ones which has tons of ideas for kids age 4-7:
https://bbbpress.com/teaching-drama-to-little-ones/
Enjoy!