Drama games intros and warmups

Open with listening focus games, students sitting or standing in a circle facing away from each other

Add One

This is a focus game, where students listen and add on. students in a circle (facing away from each other initially, they can face each other when they can handle.) Choose a topic, letter, number, names, animals, countries; teacher begins usually. Student one says a thing from that category. Next student repeats what was first said and adds. Next student repeats the two things and adds. go until one forgets one.

These next games get harder. Don't go to burn out. Be prepared to switch to what's below

Zip, Zap, Zop

"Zip, Zap, Zop" is a classic focus and concentration game that extends the quick-thinking and rhythm-based elements of "The Chair on My Right Is Free." The group stands in a circle. One person starts the game by clapping their hands and pointing at another person, saying "Zip!" That person immediately claps, points at another person, and says "Zap!" The next person says "Zop!" and the cycle continues, "Zip, Zap, Zop, Zip, Zap, Zop..." The goal is to keep the energy and rhythm flowing without any pauses. If a person hesitates, messes up the order, or makes a mistake, the group can playfully start over, or that person can be given a fun challenge before rejoining the game.

This game is a fundamental exercise for building group focus and ensemble work. It teaches actors to be constantly "on" and ready to receive and pass the energy of a scene. The rapid-fire nature of the game prevents overthinking and forces players to trust their instincts. It's a great warm-up for vocal and physical energy, and it helps to establish a sense of shared rhythm and timing that is crucial for any theatrical performance. The simple rules allow the focus to be entirely on the group's collective energy and timing.

• The Drama Teacher: Zip, Zap, Zop

• Theaterish: Zip, Zap, Zop

Bizz Buzz

"Bizz Buzz" is a counting game where players replace multiples of certain numbers with specific words. Typically, multiples of 3 or numbers with 3 in them are replaced with "Bizz," and multiples of 5 or numbers with 5 in them with "Buzz." If a number is a multiple of both 3 and 5 or has both in them, it's replaced with "Bizz-Buzz". The game continues in a circle, with players taking turns counting up, substituting the words when appropriate.

How to play:

1. Players form a circle 
2. Players count up, one number at a time, in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.
3. • If a number is a multiple of the "Bizz" number, say "Bizz" instead of the number.
   • If a number is a multiple of the "Buzz" number, say "Buzz" instead of the number.
   • If a number is a multiple of both "Bizz" and "Buzz" numbers, say "Bizz-Buzz".
4. 3= bizz
   5=buzz
   12=bizz
   13=bizz
   15=bizz buzz
   30-39 bizz (except 30&35 are bizz buzz)
5. The game continues until a player makes a mistake, or a predetermined number is reached

Variations:

• Bizz Buzz Bang:

  Introduce a third word, "Bang," for multiples of both "Bizz" and "Buzz". 
• Elimination:

  Players who make a mistake are eliminated from the game, with the last player remaining declared the winner.
• Using different multiples:

  The game can be adapted for different multiples, such as 2 and 3, or 7 and 9. 
• Focus on digits:

  Some variations focus on numbers containing a specific digit, like 7, replacing them with "Buzz". 

Count to 20

Count to 20 is a powerful game for improving focus, patience, and non-verbal communication within a group. It challenges students to listen intently to each other and respond intuitively, without any pre-planning or explicit cues, thereby fostering a collective awareness and sensitivity to the group's rhythm.

To play, students stand in a circle, and everyone is instructed to put their heads down and close their eyes. The collective goal is for the group to count aloud from one to twenty. The crucial rule is that only

one person can say a number at a time. If two or more students speak a number simultaneously, the count immediately resets to one, and the game begins again. The group must achieve the count without any verbal planning or opening their eyes, relying solely on their collective intuition and listening.

To take the activity further, encourage students to truly listen for the gaps and rhythms in the group's counting, practicing patience and precise timing. The target number can be increased (e.g., counting to 30) or a silent rule can be added, such as requiring a clap or a specific gesture between numbers, to increase the challenge and demand even more synchronized non-verbal communication. Celebrating small milestones, like reaching "10" without interruption, can keep spirits high and reinforce positive progress. This game is deceptively simple yet incredibly effective for middle schoolers. It forces them to quiet their individual impulses and tune into the collective pulse of the group. It teaches the importance of listening, observation, and self-regulation in a fun, challenging way. The shared experience of restarting and the eventual triumph of reaching the target number build resilience, patience, and a strong sense of ensemble accomplishment.

These next games are more physical, but still enhance concentration

Look Down, Look Up

Look Down, Look Up is a highly effective game for calming the group, sharpening concentration, and fostering quick, precise responses.⁹ It builds a sense of collective focus and awareness, as students must react to both verbal cues and the actions of their peers. The "reveal" moment, when students look up to make eye contact, is the core of the game's tension and engagement.

To play, students stand in a circle. The teacher gives the command "Look Down," and all players immediately look at the floor.⁹ After a pause, the teacher says "Look Up." On this command, every student must simultaneously look directly at someone

else in the circle, making it clear who they are looking at. If two players happen to look at each other at the same moment, both are "out" and must sit down. The game continues, with the circle gradually getting smaller as players are eliminated. The teacher can vary the length of the pauses between "Look Down" and "Look Up" to build dramatic tension and increase the challenge.¹⁴

To enhance the activity, encourage students to maintain strong eye contact when they look up, even if it feels a bit silly at first. For a variation, instead of being "out," students who make eye contact could perform a silly sound or movement together before rejoining the game, keeping everyone active. This game is excellent for middle schoolers because it demands intense focus and quick, non-verbal decision-making. It teaches students to be present and aware of the entire group, not just their immediate neighbors. The playful elimination element adds a layer of excitement, while the core mechanic of looking away and then revealing eye contact makes it perfectly suited for structured, safe play with a clear "reveal" moment.

Emotion Party (Hidden Emotion Reveal)

Emotion Party is designed to explore emotional expression through physicality and non-verbal communication. This adaptation incorporates a "hidden emotion reveal" to encourage bold choices and focused observation from the group. This game is fantastic for middle schoolers as it provides a safe and playful way to explore a range of emotions without the pressure of dialogue.

To play, students walk in a circle spread out in the performance space. The teacher calls out a specific emotion (e.g., "Joy," "Anger," "Fear," "Confusion"). Each student then turns their back to the center of the room and the rest of the class. While their back is turned, they silently embody that emotion with their entire body and face, committing fully to a frozen pose that clearly expresses the feeling. The teacher walks outside of the circle, all students hold their frozen emotional pose. The teacher responds individually to each student, looking for something to praise. When confidence in classroom behaviour has been established, the teacher may ask certain students to share their pose with the rest of the class.

extension 1

As the students walk in a circle, they choose their own emotion. Thus when the walk-by happens, the teacher needs to guess the emotion. Again, if there is safety in the room, the teacher may ask one or two students to share with the group.

extension 2

This is only when the group and the moment are one of complete emotional support and safety...

As the students walk in a circle, the teacher walks by and whispers a different emotion to each student. The rest of the class observes each "revealed" pose and tries to guess the emotion being portrayed. After a few moments of observation, students can share their guesses. This sharpens observation skills as students learn to "read" the body language and facial expressions of their peers, building empathy and understanding of non-verbal cues.

Pass it on

Students in a circle with one ball. say the name before passing. Teacher introduces more balls.

extends to pass the applause and energy ball

Tongue Twisters

Tongue Twisters are a classic vocal warm-up specifically designed to strengthen and make the voice more agile, thereby improving articulation and clarity. They prepare actors for difficult phrases and help ensure that speech is smooth, precise, and easily understandable, which is vital for any stage performance.

To incorporate them, begin with familiar tongue twisters like "She sells seashells by the seashore" or introduce new, less common ones to keep students engaged and challenged. Examples include "Red lorry, yellow lorry," "I like New York unique, Unique New York I like," or "How can a clam cram in a clean cream can?". Students should first attempt to say the twisters slowly and clearly, focusing on precise pronunciation of each word and sound, ensuring every syllable is distinct.

The key to mastering tongue twisters is to practice only as fast as the twister can be done correctly, gradually increasing speed over time without sacrificing clarity. If a particular twister is challenging, it often reveals a vocal vulnerability, making it an excellent area for targeted practice. Students can try saying them with different emotions, volumes, or even in character to add an acting layer, connecting vocal warm-up to performance skills. Encourage playful competition to see who can articulate them most clearly at increasing speeds. For middle schoolers, whose voices are often changing and developing, Tongue Twisters are essential for vocal health and clarity. They help students become more aware of their mouth, tongue, and lip movements, which directly impacts their ability to project and be understood on stage. This warm-up builds confidence in vocal delivery and is a fun way to tackle the technical aspects of speech.

Handshakes Chain (an early way of checking whether or not they can stay focussed)

"Handshakes Chain" is a collaborative, name-learning game that promotes physical and social connection. The group sits in a circle. The leader starts by demonstrating a unique handshake (e.g., a high-five, a fist bump, or a more elaborate, silly handshake) and says their name. They then perform this handshake with the person next to them, who then performs the same handshake with the person on their other side, and so on, with the group learning the handshake and each person's name as it travels around the circle. The game can be advanced by having the group create a chain of handshakes, where each person adds their own unique handshake to the growing sequence.

This game is an excellent tool for breaking down social barriers and getting a group to be more comfortable with physical touch and proximity. It's a fun and memorable way to learn each other's names and to build a sense of shared experience. The game's collaborative nature reinforces the idea that every individual's contribution is important to the overall success of the group. "Handshakes Chain" is a great warm-up for any performance or workshop that requires physical interaction and a strong sense of ensemble, as it builds a foundation of trust and familiarity in a fun and engaging way.

• Training Wheels: Handshakes

• BCRPA: ACTIVITY #1 Hand Shake Murder With a Twist (A variation of a handshake game)

Pass the Applause

This warm-up game is a high-energy extension of "Handshakes Chain" and a precursor to the focus required in "Phone Number Pair Work." In "Pass the Applause," the group stands in a circle. One person begins by making eye contact with the person next to them, then claps their hands to their own head and "passes" the sound and energy of the applause to the next person. The next person "receives" it by bringing their hands to their head, then "passes" it on to the next person with a clap. The goal is to move the applause around the circle as quickly as possible without any hesitation. A leader can introduce variations, such as a clap in the middle of the circle or reversing the direction of the applause, to increase the challenge.

"Pass the Applause" is an excellent tool for building group focus, energy, and a sense of collective rhythm. It forces every participant to be fully present and to anticipate their turn. The game's fast pace encourages actors to react instinctively rather than overthinking their movements. It's a fun and non-verbal way to build ensemble cohesion and to get a group physically and mentally ready to work. It's a great demonstration of how a group's collective energy can be harnessed to create a single, powerful effect.

• The Improv Network: Pass the Applause

• Youth Group Games: Pass the Applause

Energy Ball (not immediate, but soon)

Energy Ball is a classic theatre warm-up designed to develop imagination, focus, and a collective sense of shared space and energy. It encourages students to work together to create and manipulate an imaginary object, fostering playful exploration and enhancing non-verbal communication within the ensemble.

To play, students form a large circle, holding their hands up with palms facing each other. The teacher guides them to imagine they are holding a ball of energy, inviting them to "feel" its pulsating light and warmth. Students practice making the imaginary ball larger and then smaller, sensing its presence and weight between their hands. After this initial practice, students drop their hands. One student then creates an imaginary energy ball and "tosses" it to another player across the circle, using clear physical actions to indicate its trajectory and characteristics.

Players can vary the "toss" by making their energy balls move quickly or very slowly, or by making them appear large and heavy, or tiny and light. The student receiving the energy ball can also transform it before tossing it to another player – perhaps turning a tiny, fast ball into a huge, slow one, or changing its color, texture, or even its sound. This encourages greater creativity, responsiveness, and physical storytelling. For middle schoolers, Energy Ball is a fantastic way to engage their imagination and practice concentration. It helps them understand the concept of shared focus and how to make the imaginary real through collective belief and action. The non-verbal communication required to "pass" and "receive" the ball strengthens physical awareness and responsiveness, while the playful nature of the game builds a positive and trusting ensemble dynamic.

Human Knot

"Human Knot" is a team-building game that builds upon the social connection of "Hug Tag" and the non-verbal communication of "Handshakes Chain." The group stands in a circle, shoulder to shoulder. Everyone extends their right hand and grabs the right hand of someone across the circle, not the person next to them. They then extend their left hand and grab the left hand of a different person. The group is now a "human knot." The goal is to untangle the knot without ever letting go of anyone's hands, ending up in a large circle.

This game is a powerful metaphor for collaboration and problem-solving. It requires the group to communicate, strategize, and work together both physically and mentally. The puzzle-like nature of the game forces participants to think creatively and to support each other. It's an excellent exercise for breaking down social barriers and for building a sense of shared purpose. The physical closeness and the need to maneuver together in a tight space foster a strong sense of trust and teamwork, making it a great game for building a cohesive ensemble.

• The Drama Teacher: Human Knot

• The Improv Network: Human Knot

Human Knot (must be earned. end of lesson)

Human Knot is an excellent ensemble-building game that fosters trust, communication, and collaborative problem-solving skills. The objective is for the group to untangle themselves from a complex physical knot without letting go of each other's hands, requiring careful planning, coordination, and clear verbal direction.

To play, students stand in a tight circle, shoulder to shoulder. Each person extends their right hand into the center of the circle and grabs the hand of a different player across the circle, ensuring they do not hold hands with someone directly next to them. Next, they repeat the process with their left hand, reaching into the center to grab the hand of

another different player, again avoiding those immediately beside them or the person whose hand they already hold. The group is now a "human knot," a tangled web of arms and bodies.

The core challenge is to untangle the knot and end up standing in a single, unbroken circle, still holding hands. Students must communicate effectively, step over or under arms, rotate, and guide each other through the tangled positions. A critical rule is that if anyone accidentally lets go of a hand, the group must start over from the beginning. The teacher acts as a guide, encouraging communication and reminding them of the rules, but allowing the students to find their own solution. This game is a fantastic trust-builder for middle schoolers, as it requires close physical proximity and reliance on peers. It develops both non-verbal communication through shared physical challenges and verbal communication as students direct and explain movements. The collaborative problem-solving aspect teaches patience, leadership, and followership, reinforcing that the group's success depends on every individual's contribution and commitment.

 Human Bingo ( A big MAYBE)

"Human Bingo" is a highly effective icebreaker and social mixer game that encourages participants to interact and learn about each other. Each person is given a bingo card with squares containing different statements or characteristics, such as "Has traveled to another country," "Plays a musical instrument," or "Loves science fiction." Participants must then circulate around the room, asking other people if they match a statement on their card. When they find a match, the person signs the square. The goal is to be the first person to get a complete line (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal) and shout "Bingo!"

This game is a fantastic way to get a group to move beyond their comfort zones and engage with people they might not normally talk to. It's a low-pressure way to build rapport and discover common interests, which is a great foundation for a strong ensemble. The questions on the bingo card can be tailored to the specific group or the goals of the workshop, making it a versatile tool for both social connection and content-based learning. "Human Bingo" is more than just a game; it's a structured way to facilitate meaningful connections and create a positive, open atmosphere within a group.

• TCEA Blog: Human Bingo: A Fun and Effective Icebreaker

• Game On Family: How to Play Human Bingo

• full game in blog