Drama games for experienced classes

 

“Mixer”

This is a super-easy game that gets students moving and laughing. Students move around the room in various ways, depending on what the teacher calls out. For example: walking, hopping, jumping, sneaking, creeping, skipping, sliding, etc. The possibilities go on and on. At various times, the teacher will call out a random number and body part, like “four elbows,” “six toes,” or “three pinkies.” The students must quickly get in groups of whatever number was called and attach the named body part together! If there are people left over, they are “out.” For a more competitive game, those players who are “out” are eliminated. For a more cooperative game, have those who are “out” help the teacher pick the next way of moving or the number of body parts.

Yes, Let's!

This game is designed to encourage spontaneity, collaboration, and, most importantly, positive affirmation within the group. It cultivates an environment where ideas are embraced, and creative impulses are acted upon without hesitation, fostering the essential "yes, and..." mindset crucial for improvisation and dynamic theatrical work.

To play, students spread out in the performance space, ensuring they have ample room to move freely. One student volunteers or is chosen to suggest an action, such as “Let’s pretend we’re climbing a mountain!” or “Let’s all become a flock of birds flying south!” The entire group immediately responds with enthusiastic agreement, shouting “Yes, let’s!” in unison, and then collectively performs the suggested action with full commitment and energy.

To take the activity further, encourage imaginative and diverse suggestions, moving beyond literal actions to more abstract or emotional scenarios. The teacher can set a theme for the suggestions (e.g., "Let's do actions related to a specific play we're studying") to seamlessly integrate the warm-up with the day's lesson objectives. To increase the pace, a time limit can be set for each action before moving to the next suggestion. "Yes, Let's!" is perfect for middle schoolers because it effectively breaks down inhibitions and fosters a culture of acceptance and collective play. It teaches the fundamental improvisational principle of accepting and building upon offers, which translates directly into dynamic scene work. The shared enthusiasm and physical engagement quickly energize the room, creating a positive and supportive atmosphere where all ideas are valued and explored.

Freeze Frame / Tableau

Freeze Frame, also known as Tableau, aims to develop students' ability to convey character, emotion, and narrative through still, physical pictures. It enhances creative thinking, physicality, and the understanding of how body language and facial expression communicate meaning without the need for dialogue.

In its traditional form, two players start an improvised scene based on a suggestion. At any point, another player can yell "Freeze!" The two actors must immediately stop and hold their exact positions, like a photograph. The player who called "Freeze" then tags one of the frozen actors, takes their exact position, and starts a

new scene, inspired by the frozen pose, often with a new partner or the remaining actor. This continuous transformation keeps the energy and creativity flowing.

A common variation for middle school is "Location Freeze" or "Group Freeze". The teacher provides a location (e.g., "Hospital Emergency Room," "Busy Market"). Students then enter the space one at a time, creating a frozen picture (tableau) of a character or object that would be found in that location. They must utilize body language, facial expression, and levels to depict a moment in time, interacting with the existing frozen picture. Once the tableau is complete, students can be prompted to say one line as their character, or even create a short improvised scene starting from the frozen picture. Freeze Frame is highly effective for middle schoolers because it allows them to explore character and storytelling without the pressure of dialogue. It encourages strong physical choices and clarity of expression. The collaborative nature of building a group tableau fosters teamwork and spatial awareness, as students learn to "fill empty space" and complement each other's actions to create a cohesive image. It is a visual and engaging way to understand narrative and character development.

Machine

The Machine exercise is designed to build ensemble, creativity, and active listening by having students collectively construct an imaginary, interconnected apparatus through sound and movement. It emphasizes collaboration and clearly demonstrates how individual contributions combine to form a greater, unified whole.

To play, one student begins by moving to the center of the room and performing a very simple, repetitive movement and an accompanying sound. This initial action should be something they can sustain for an extended period. One by one, other students are instructed to "add on" to the existing sounds and motions, connecting their actions to the growing machine in some way. As they join, they should consider varying their physical and vocal levels to contribute to the overall complexity and texture of the machine, ensuring their addition complements the existing parts.

Students are encouraged to listen intently to each other and make choices that contribute positively to the "bigger picture" of the machine, rather than simply doing their own thing. Once all students are in place and the machine is fully formed, the group can collectively experiment with slowing the machine down, speeding it up, or even attempting to move it to a different location within the room, all while maintaining their connected movements and sounds. The teacher can prompt different types of machines (e.g., a washing machine, a printing press, a Rube Goldberg machine) to spark creativity. Machine is a fantastic ensemble builder for middle schoolers because it visually and audibly demonstrates interdependence. Students learn that their individual actions directly impact the collective, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and creative ownership. It encourages imaginative physical and vocal choices and requires sustained focus and listening to ensure the machine functions cohesively. It is a dynamic and often hilarious way to warm up the body, voice, and collaborative spirit.