Sample Theater Games

1. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

Students stand in two lines. The front students in each line face each other. The student in line one begins miming an activity (i.e., skiing). The student in line two asks, "What are you doing?". The other student continues miming their activity (skiing), but says he/she is doing something else (i.e., taking a shower), then goes to the back of his/her line. The student in line two begins miming the new activity (taking a shower) and the student who is now in the front of line one asks "What are you doing?". The student in line two continues his/her activity (taking a shower), ), but says he/she is doing something else (i.e., reading), then goes to the back of his/her line. The student in the front of line one begins miming the new activity (reading) and the student who is now in the front of line two asks "What are you doing?".

The teacher serves as the judge. Three important rules:

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Students may not repeat an activity that has already been mentioned. Students have only a count of three to come up with the new activity. Students must continue the original activity while saying the new activity.

Example: Student one is miming reading. Student two asks, "What are you doing?". Student one continues miming reading, but says, "Putting on a shirt." Student two mimes putting on a shirt as student one goes to the back of his/her line. The student now in the front of line one asks, the student in line two "What are you doing?". That student continues miming putting on a shirt and says, "I'm combing my hair." The student in line one begins miming that activity as the student in line two goes to the back of the line. The student now in the front of line two asks, "What are you doing?", etc.

2. CLAY - SCULPTOR

Students divide into groups of two. One student is "A", the other "B". Student A becomes a lump of clay and student B becomes the sculptor. Using approximately 2 minutes, Student B molds student A into an interesting statue and gives the statue a name.

At the end of the two minutes of work, the teacher asks each sculptor the name of their statue.

Students now reverse. B becomes the sculptor and A become the clay. Repeat the exercise.

3. ONE MINUTE MONOLOGUES

One student stands in front of the class. The student is given a topic and must speak for one minute on that subject without stopping. Encourage students to give many details and to speak slowly.

Example: A student sits in front of the classroom. The teacher gives the topic "pizza" and the student speaks for one minute about pizza.

4. Musical Counting Concentration

In a circle (or square) have everyone clap in rhythm and count 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, i.e. a basic 4 count. Once this is established divide into 4 groups or sections of circle and have first group only say "1" on each go around, second group only say "2", third group only say 3, and 4th group only say 4. Everyone continually claps.

Once this is established have someone in middle of circle try to distract counters by counting wrong! When someone in circle counts out of place they become the person in the middle.

Variations include a silent beat such as clap, 2, 3, 4 or 1, clap, 3, 4.

With older kids poly-rhythms or other time signatures can be done.