Warm Ups For Different Types of Plays

Warm-Up Round Table:
Warm-Ups for Different types of plays
Warmupgamesareneverathrowawayactivity.Theytransitionstudentsfromtheoutsideworldto
rehearsalworld.Theycanbeusedtomakeyourgroupfeellikeateam,anensemble.Theycan
helpstudentsworkontechnicalskills.
WhetheryourerehearsingShakespeareordevisinganoriginalwork,theresawarmupjustfor
you.
Findthelatestversionofthisarticleathttp://tfolk.me/warmups 1

Devised Work
Whatareyoulookingfor?
Inanoriginaldevisedplay,everyonehastoworktogethertocreate.Andnoteverythingthey
createisgoingtobesuccessfulthefirsttimeout.Youwantwarmupswhereyourstudentssay
yes!Pickwarmupswherestudentsgetusedtomakingmistakesandcelebratingthose
mistakes.
Yes And!
Pickagroupactivity,somethingeveryonecanbeinvolvedwith(planningaparty,going
camping,decoratingforprom)
Onepersonmakesastatementaboutwhattheyaregoingtodoattheactivity(Weregoing
tocoverthewallsofthegyminblackconstructionpaper!)
TheentiregroupyellsoutYes!
AsecondpersonhastoaddontothestatementAndweregoingtoaddsquidinktothe
dinnerrollstoturnthemblack!
TheentiregroupyellsoutYes!
Keepgoinguntileveryonehashadachancetoaddontotheactivity.
Name it!
Studentsstandinacircle.Aballistossedacrossthecircle.
Onyourdirectionthenextpersonwhotossestheballyellsoutacategory.Dinosaurs!
Flowers!PiecesofClothing!TVshows!Songs!Singers!Plays!Musicals!
Thenextpersonwhocatchestheballhastonamethreethingsinthatcategory.(Tulips!
Daisies!Roses!)Theythentosstheball.
Theballgetstossedtoanotherperson,thentoanother.Thatpersonyellsoutacategory.
Keepupthispattern:Tosstheball,tosstheball,Category!Nameit!(andrepeat)
Iftheycantnamethreethingsunderpressure,insteadofgoingawwwwwortoobad,
everyonethrowstheirarmsup,cheersandchangesplacesinthecircle.

Improvise a nursery rhyme
Divideyourcastintogroups
Givethemfiveminutestoimproviseanurseryrhyme.Onethathasntbeenwrittenyet.
Eachgrouppresentstheirrhyme.
Dontfocusonthefinishedproduct.Getthemtocommittosomethinginthetimelimit.Try
shorteningthetimelimittogetthemtoworkfaster.Impressuponthestudentsthatnot
everythingtheydowillbeperfect(orevenwork).
Repeattheprocessonlythistimetheyhavetoinventatonguetwister.
One Word Stories
Everyonesitsinacircle.
Givethegroupthetitleofastory(e.g.TheBoyWhoCheats.HowtheZebragainedher
stripes.LostintheBasement.)
Thegrouptellsthestoryonewordatatime.Focusonkeepingthestorygoingand
maintainingtheintegrityofthestory.
Machine
Onepersoncomestothefrontandstartsanactionwithanaccompanyingsound.
Onebyonethecastcomesupandaddson.Everyonehastodoanactionandmakea
sound.
Onceeveryoneisinvolvedinthemachineplayaroundwithit.Havethemachinegofaster,
orslower.Havethemachinebreakdown.
Colour Scenes
Dividethecastintogroups.
Givethemfiveminutestocreateascenebasedonacolour.Whattypesofcharactersor
scenarioscometomindwhenyouthinkofaspecificcolour?
Dontfocusonafinishedproduct.Getthemtocommittosomethinginthetimelimitand
presentit.

The Lightning Round
OnepersonisIt.Theystandatthefrontofthegroup.
Everyoneelsehasoneminutetowritedownopeninglinesforanimprovscene.Coach
studentstomaketheselinesasopenaspossible.Establishalocationandacharacter.
ThegroupgathersinalineinfrontoftheItperson.
Oneatatime,thegroupgoesdowntheline,firingtheirlinesatIt.Theyhavetorespond
withasecondlinerightaway.
EncourageIttoworkfast.Dontworryaboutsayingtheperfectline.Justgetaresponse
out.
MakesurethegroupgivesabigroundofapplausetoItaftertheirdone.Itsnoteasy!
HavethemshoutoutYes!
RepeattheprocesswithanewIt.
Buzz, Zap, Whee
Studentsstandinthecircle.Theirjobistocountupto100onebyonearoundthecircle.
Instructstudentsthattheyaregoingtoreplacemultiplesof5(5,10,15,20,etc.)withBUZZ.
Oncetheygetcomfortablewiththat,addon.Replacemultiplesof4(4,8,12,16,20,etc.)
withZAP.Whentheygetto20,whichisamultipleofboth5and4,theymustsayboth
wordsBUZZZAP.
Oncetheycomfortablewiththat,addon.Replacemultiplesof3withWHEE!(Overlaps
suchas12wouldbeZAPWHEE!60willbeBUZZZAPWHEE!)

Farce
Warmupsthatcreateenergy.Youwantyourstudentsawakeandmoving!Getstudentsusedto
makingexaggeratedphysicalchoices.
Tense and Release
Directstudentstotensetheirbodyandreleaseit.Asyourepeattheexercise,coach
studentstogetmoreexaggeratedwiththeirtensionandtheirrelease.Whentheytensethe
body,contortthebodyandtheface.Whentheyrelease,flopthebodyasmuchaspossible.
Number Shake
Studentsstandinacircle.Thegoalofthiswarmupistocountandshakeabodypart.
Studentsshaketherighthandwhilecountinguptoeight.Repeatwithlefthand,rightfoot,
andleftfoot.
Studentsshaketherighthandwhilecountinguptoseven.Repeatwithlefthand,rightfoot,
andleftfoot.
Continuecountingandshakingallthewaydowntoone.
Coachstudentstokeeptherhythmconstant,keepthecountloud,andtheshakesbig.
Whenyouvedone1shakewiththerighthand,lefthand,rightfootandleftfoot,everyone
crouchesdownandleapsintotheairstretchingoutandupwithanOHYEAH!
Alphabet Body
Drawlettersofthealphabetwithdifferentpartsofthebody.
Haveyourgroupdothisallatonceandthenhavevolunteerscomeuptoshowtheirletter.
Studentstrytoguesstheletter.

1 to 10 activity
Havestudentsdoanordinaryactivity.Washingdishes,brushingteeth,makingthebed.
Startcountingslowlyfrom1to10.
At1studentsperformtheactivityastheynormallywould.10isthemostexaggerated,
physicalexpressionoftheactivity.
Coachstudentsasyoucounttogetbiggerandbiggerthehigherthenumber.Encourage
themtogettheirlimbsasfarawayfromtheirtorsoastheycan.Encouragethemtoexplore
levels(high,medium,low).
Onceyougoupto10,countbackwardsdownto1.
Afteryouvecountedinorderacoupleoftimes,changeupthecount.Gofrom1to10.Start
at5.Coachstudentstohoneinonthemiddleexpressionoftheactivity.
Freeze
Twostudentsstartascene.Coachstudentstofocusoncreatingbigphysicalpicturesfor
thisversionofthegame.Committoexaggeratedgesturesduringthescene.
Whenoneofthegroupseesaninterestingposethatcouldleadtoanewscene,theycall
outFreeze!Thestudentsinthescenefreeze.
Thethirdpersoncomesin,tapsoutoneofthepeopleintheexistingsceneandtakestheir
place.Theytakethesamephysicalshapeasthepersontheytappedout.
Thethirdpersonstartsupthenewsceneusingtheposeasajumpingoffpoint.
Bus Stop Improv
Apersonsitsatabusstop.
Asecondpersoncomesin.Theirjobistomakethefirstpersonleavetheirseat.Theymust
fullycommittoacharacterandastorythatwouldencouragethefirstpersontoleave.
My Job
Threepeoplestandinfrontofthegroup.
Eacharesecretlygivenajob.
Eachmustperformactionsfortheirjob,buttheyrenotallowedtotalk.
Thegrouptriestoguessthejob.
Whenonepersonguessestheytaketheirplaceatthefrontandstarttheirownjobactions.
Big Booty
Studentsstandinacircle.OnepersonistheBigBooty.
Everyonearoundthecirclenumbersthemselves.
Everyoneinthecirclestartsarhythm.Slaplegs,clap,snap,clap.Keeprepeatingthe
rhythm.

Oncetherhythmisestablished,theBigBootycallsout:OhYeah!BigBooty,BigBooty,
BigBooty!Keepthatrhythmgoing!
ThegroupcallsoutOhYeah!BigBooty,BigBooty,BigBooty!
BigBootycallsoutBigBootyNumberTwelve!
Number12callsouttheirnumberandsomeoneelsesnumber:NumberTwelve,Number
TwentyFive!
Number25callsouttheirnumberandsomeoneelsesnumberandsoon.
Thepointhereistokeeptherhythm,andcalloutthenumbersinthatrhythm.
Ifsomeonemakesamistake,everyonecallsoutOhYeah!BigBooty,BigBooty,Big
Booty!
BigBootystartsthepatternagain.

Ensemble-based Work
Youwantyourensembletooperateasone.Asateam.Lookforwarmupsthatemphasize
teamwork.
Alphabet Order
Thisgamefocusesonlisteningandfocusingasagroup.
Studentssitinacircle.Thegoalistorunthroughthealphabetinorder,butnotintheorder
ofthecircle.Theordermustberandom.
Iftwostudentssaythenextletteratthesametime,restartagainfromA.
Silent Line
Studentsputthemselvesinalineaccordingtoaspecificdirection(height,birthdate,
alphabeticalorder)
Thetrickistheyhavetofigureouttheorderwithoutspeaking.Allcommunicationmustbe
nonverbal.
Choral Speaking
Studentsstandinacircle.
StartrehearsalwithonelinefromIamtheverymodelofaModernMajorGeneralfrom
ThePiratesofPenzance.
Everyonesaysthelineatthesametimeuntiltheycansayitasone.Emphasizeclarityand
articulation.Speedupandslowdowntheirdelivery.
Atthenextrehearsal,startwiththefirstline,thenaddthesecondline.Focusonclarityand
articulation.Nomumbling!
Continuetheprocess,addingonalineateachrehearsal.Bythetimeyoureach
performance,everyonewillbeabletosaythespeechaltogether,infullvoice,withlotsof
energy.

Moving Day
Dividecastintogroupsofthree.
Twostandfacetofacewiththeirarmsupandpalmstouching.Theyarethehouse.The
thirdpersonstandsbetweentheminsidethehouse.Theyaretheowner.
Youregoingtocalloutoneofthreethings:House,Owner,MovingDay.
OnHouseeveryoneformingthehouseleavestheirpartnertoformahousewithsomeone
else.
OnOwnerallOwnersinsidethehouseleavetofindanotherhouse.
OnMovingDayeveryonescatters,eitherforminganewhouseorbecomingtheowner
insideanewhouse.
Greeting Walks
Everyonemovesaroundthespace,walkingatabriskpacetryingtouseallcornersofthe
room.Coachstudentstofocussolelyonwalkingsotheydontbumpintooneanother.
Thereshouldbenotalking.
Astheywalk,instructthegroupthatatthecountofthree,theyhavetointeractwiththenext
persontheymakeeyecontactwith.Exampleinteractionsare:
Thepersonisyourbestfriendwhoyouhaven'tseeninyears.
Thepersonisyourworstenemy(stressnophysicalviolence).
Thepersonissomeoneyouknowasecretabout.
Returnthegroupbackneutralwalkinginbetweeneachinteraction.
Song Circle
Onestudentmovestothemiddleofthecircle(directthemtobebigandboldhere)and
startstosingasong.
Directthegroupthatonceyourecognizethesong,joinin!
Thatpersonmovestothemiddleofthecircleandtheystartsinginganewsong.Andthe
patterncontinues.

Kitty Wants A Corner
Studentsstandinacircle.OnepersonisKittyandtheystandinthemiddle.
KittyapproachessomeoneinthecircleandsaysKittywantsacorner.
ThatpersonsaysAskmyneighbour.Kittydoessoandthepatterncontinues.
Whilethisisgoingon,thoseinthecirclebehindKittymustsecretlychangeplaces.Two
peoplemakeeyecontactandswitchspots.TheymustdosobeforeKittycatchesthem.
Coachstudentsthattheymustmakeeyecontactwithsomeonefirst,theycantjustrunto
someonesspotwithoutthemknowingit.
IfKittynoticesaswitchinprogressandcangettothespotfirst,thenwhoeverisleftoutis
thenewKitty.
Whoosh, Whoa
Directthemtosendaballofenergyaroundthecircle.Holdaball.Establishthesizeand
weightandtossittothepersonbesideyou.Coachstudentstokeepthesizeandweight
consistentandtokeeptheenergygoing.Workasagrouptokeeptheenergyconstant.
Aftertheballhasgonearoundonce,includeasoundwiththepass.Whoosh.Everyonehas
tosayWhooshastheypasstheball.Coachstudentstobeconsistent.
Afteronetriparoundthecircle,directstudentsthattheballofenergyisnowinsidethem.
Theyhavetowavetheirbodiesandpasstheenergyoutoneoftheirlimbs.Encourage
studentstomaketheWhooshonecontinuoussound.
Variation:AfterstudentsarereallygoodatsendingtheWhoosharoundthecircle,adda
Whoa.IfapersonsaysWhoa,thedirectionoftheWhooshchanges.

Absurd or Abstract
IntheAbsurdorAbstractplaynothingisnaturalisticorrealistic.Lookforwarmupsthatexplore
thisconcept.Nonrealisticplayscanbehardforstudentstoconnectto.
Choosefunwarmupstohelpbreakdownthebarrier.
1 to 10 activity
Havestudentsdoanordinaryactivity.Washingdishes,brushingteeth,makingthebed.
Startcountingslowlyfrom1to10.
At1studentsperformtheactivityastheynormallywould.10isthemostexaggerated,
physicalexpressionoftheactivity.
Coachstudentsasyoucounttogetbiggerandbiggerthehigherthenumber.Encourage
themtogettheirlimbsasfarawayfromtheirtorsoastheycan.Encouragethemtoexplore
levels(high,medium,low).
Onceyougoupto10,countbackwardsdownto1.
Afteryouvecountedinorderacoupleoftimes,changeupthecount.Gofrom1to10.Start
at5.Coachstudentstohoneinonthemiddleexpressionoftheactivity.
What are you doing?
Astudentstandsatthefrontofthegroup.Theyperformanordinaryactivity.
AsecondstudentapproachesandasksWhatareyoudoing?Thefirststudentsaysthey
aredoingsomethinginnowayrelatedtotheiractions.Forexample,theysaytheyre
climbingatreebutmimewashingthedishes.
Thesecondstudentstartsdoingtheactionthefirststudentverbalizes(e.g.climbingatree)
AthirdstudentapproachesandasksWhatareyoudoing?Thesecondstudentsaysthey
aredoingsomethinginnowayrelatedtotheiractions.Thepatterncontinues.
Abstract/Absurd Nursery Rhyme
Breakyourcastupintogroups.
Givethemfiveminutestoimproviseanurseryrhymeinthestyleofyourplay.
Dontfocusonthefinishedproduct.Coachstudentstoexplorespecificabsurd/abstract
principlesandhavefunwiththem.Thegoalistomaketheworkmoreapproachableand
lessdaunting.

That is not a chair
Achairisplacedinfrontofthegroup
Twostudentscometothefrontofthegroupandimproviseascene.Thestudentsmustuse
thechairintheirscenebuttheyrenotallowedtouseitlikeachair,orevencallitachair.
Theymustcallitsomethingelse,anduseitassomethingotherthanachair.
Repeatthescenewithtwomorestudents.Whatelsecouldthechairbecome?
Choral Speaking and Stylized Movement
StartatthebeginningofrehearsallearningTheJabberwockybyLewisCarroll.Startwith
oneline.
Everyonesaysthelineatthesametimeuntiltheycansayitasone.Emphasizeclarityand
articulation.Speedupandslowdowntheirdelivery.Oncetheyhavethelinedown,comeup
withastylizedmovementfortheline.Whatsonegestureormovethatfitstheline?
Atthenextrehearsal,startwiththatonelineandthenaddthenextline.Focusonclarityand
articulation.Nomumbling!Afterlearningthesecondline,addastylizedmovement.
Continuetheprocess,addingonalineateachrehearsal.Inthiswaybythetimeyoureach
performance,everyonewillbeabletosaythespeechtogether,infullvoice,withlotsof
energy.
'Twasbrillig,andtheslithytoves One,two!One,two!andthroughandthrough
Didgyreandgimbleinthewabe Thevorpalbladewentsnickersnack!
Allmimsyweretheborogoves, Heleftitdead,andwithitshead
Andthemomerathsoutgrabe. Hewentgalumphingback.

"BewaretheJabberwock,myson! "AndhastthouslaintheJabberwock?
Thejawsthatbite,theclawsthatcatch! Cometomyarms,mybeamishboy!
BewaretheJubjubbird,andshun Ofrabjousday!Callooh!Callay!"
ThefrumiousBandersnatch!" Hechortledinhisjoy.

Hetookhisvorpalswordinhand: 'Twasbrillig,andtheslithytoves
Longtimethemanxomefoehesought Didgyreandgimbleinthewabe
SorestedhebytheTumtumtree, Allmimsyweretheborogoves,
Andstoodawhileinthought. Andthemomerathsoutgrabe.

Andasinuffishthoughthestood,
TheJabberwock,witheyesofflame,
Camewhifflingthroughthetulgeywood,
Andburbledasitcame!

Machine
ThegoalhereistomakeanAbsurdMachine.
Onestudentcomestothefrontandstartsanactionwithanaccompanyingsound.
Onebyonethegroupcomesupandaddson.Everyonehastodoanactionandmakea
sound.Butforthisversionofthegame,whenthenextpersoncomesforwardtoaddon,
theyhavetodosoinawaythatmakesnosense.Forexample:Ifthefirstpersonismaking
awhooshnoise,andbendingatthewaist,thesecondpersonmightliedowninfrontof
them,flailabit,andcalloutHotdog.Thethirdpersonmightgotothecorneroftheroom
andnotevenconnect.
Coachstudentsthattheyarenotplayingthegameasitsnormallyplayed.Theyarestriving
forsomethingnonsensical.
Emotional Action
Studentsstandaboutthespace.Explainthattheyaregoingtocreatearepetitiveactionfor
anemotion.Theactionistheirown,andtheyrenottocopyanyoneelse.Ifithelpsstudents
toclosetheireyes,dothatjustenforcethattheyhavetostayinonespotandchoosean
actionthatisnotgoingtothrowthemoffbalance.
Callouttheemotion(happiness,jealousy,fear,sadness,anger)andcoachstudentsto
createarepetitiveaction.Somethingtheycandooverandoveragainthatsuggeststhe
indicatedemotion.
Oncetheactionisinplace,playwithit.Havethemgrowandexaggeratetheaction.Have
themmaketheactionassmallaspossible.
Repeattheprocesswithanotheraction.
Onceyouvegonethroughanumberofemotions,havestudentschoosethreeactionsand
stringthemtogether.Havestudentssharetheirsequences.

Issue-Based Drama
Warmupsthatcreateanenvironmentofsupport.Issuebaseddramascanopenacanofworms
forstudents.Itsimportantthatyourrehearsalenvironmentissupportivewhenunexpected
emotionsfloodtothesurface.
Stretch and Shake
Directstudentstostretchastallastheycan,getontheirtoes,reachwiththeirfingers,and
thenshaketheirwholebodyover.Calloutthebodyparts,Shakethathead,shakeyour
feet,shakethestomach!
Reallygetintotheshake.Makeitassillyaspossible.
Repeatatleastthreetimesandthenchangetoawidestretch.Stretchoutaswideas
possible,reachwiththefeet,reachwiththetoes,andthenshakeallover.
Dothisalongwithyourstudents.Showthemyourewillingtogetintothesillinessofit.
Showstudentsthateveryoneisinthesameboat.Everyoneisinasafeplacetodo
somethingsilly.
Ball Circle
Youregoingtomakeeyecontactwithsomeoneacrossthecircleandtossanerfballto
them.Thatpersonacceptstheball,makeseyecontactacrossthecirclewithadifferent
personandtossestheballtothem.
Assoonasthatballismovingsmoothlyacrossthecircleaddasecondball.
Assoonasthatballismovingsmoothlyacrossthecircleaddathirdball.Coachstudents
tostayfocused,andnottotalk.Keeptherhythmoftheballsmoving.Keeptheeyecontact.
Theyneedtobeawareofmultipleballsnow.
Assoonasthatballismovingsmoothlyacrossthecircleaddafourthball.
Ifaballisdropped,haveeveryonethrowtheirarmsintheairandsayOhYeah!orsome
similarcheer.Andthenstarttheprocessagainwithoneball.

Order Up
Dividestudentsintotwogroups.Thisisgoingtobeacompetition.
Eachgrouphastolineupinorderaccordingtoadirective:birthdays,zodiacsigns,first
letterofthefirstname.
Thefirstgrouptoputtheirhandsupwins.
Doitagain,butthistimenotalking.Allcommunicationmustbenonverbal.
Machine
Onepersoncomestothefrontandstartsanactionwithanaccompanyingsound.
Onebyonethecastcomesupandaddson.Everyonehastodoandactionandmakea
sound.
Onceyouvegotthemachineinplace,playwithit.Makethemachinegofasterorslower.
Afteryouvedoneitonce,giveyourgroupaproblemthatthemachinewillsolve.World
Hunger.AmachinethatstopsTornados.Comeupwithsomethingspecificsothatwhen
theybuildthemachinethistime,theyhavethatissueintheirmind.Youcanevenhavea
discussionbeforehandwhatwouldthemachinelooklike?Howwoulditsolvethe
problem?
Trust Sit
Thisoneisfunandifthecirclefalls,laughitoff.Getthemupandtryingagain.
Thegroupstandsinacircle.Theentiregrouptakesaquarterturntotheleftsoeveryoneis
onebehindtheother.
Thegrouptakesastepinsothatthecircleistightlypacked.Thisisvitaltothesuccessof
theexercise.
Everyonesitsonthelapofthepersonbehindthem.
Totakeittothenextlevel,announcethatonyourcommand,everyoneisgoingtotakea
stepforwardwiththeirleftfoot.Andthenright.Ifeveryonedoesitatthesametime,theywill
beabletomoveinacircle.
Trust Walk
Studentsareinpairs.Onestudentisblindfolded.Theotherstudentleadsthemonawalk
aroundthespace.
Emphasizetostudentsthatthisparticulargamemustbetakenseriously.Itsnotafirstday
ofrehearsalwarmup.Ifevenoneoftheblindfoldedstudentsisleadastraybytheirpartner
youlllosetheenvironmentoftrustwiththewholegroup.
Barnyard
Handoutslipsofpaper.Oneachpieceofpaperisanfarmanimal.

Everyoneclosestheireyesandstartsmakingtheiranimalssoundastheymoveslowly
aroundtheroom.
Theaimistofindotherpeoplemakingthesamesoundandtoformagroup.
Afteratimelimittelleveryonetoopentheireyes.Whohasfoundtheircompleteanimal
group?
Warm-Downs
Wheneveryoufinishanintenserehearsal,alwaysincludeawarmdown.Neversendyouractors
awaywithrawnervesorunsettledthoughtsrunningthroughtheirbrains.
Dosomethingsimple,funandactiveAmoebaTag,Tugofwar,Spaghettimixup,
Duckduckgoose,Simonsays,UltimateNinja,RockPaperScissorsTournament,Charades,a
slowmotionrace,theirfavouriteimprovgames.

Shakespeare
Shakespeareisamouthful,sopreparethemouthtomove!Startrehearsalswithwarmupsthat
focusonvocalarticulation.
Yawn and chew
Studentsstandinacircle
Startbyhavingstudentsmassagetheirfaces.Rubtheircheeksinacircle,rubtheirhands
overtheirentireface.
Nextstudentsyawnaswideastheycan.Coachstudentstoreallyopentheirmouths.
Lastlystudentsimaginetheyrechewingasubstance.Startwithgum.
Repeatthecycle:massage,yawn,chew.
Foreachchew,givestudentsadifferentfoodtoughsteak,peanutbutter,stickytoffee.
ThrowinsomethingthatshardtochewlikeJellOorsoup!
Yawn Scale
Havethemyawndownadescendingscale.
Havethemyawnupanascendingscale.
Lip Buzz
Studentsstandinacircleandbuzzthelips.
Buzzthelipswhilevocalizingupanddownthescale.
Chooseafamiliarsong(theNationalAnthem)andhaveeveryonehumthesongwhile
buzzingthelips.

Hum
Studentsbreatheinandbreatheoutthroughthenose.Dothisthreetimes.
Studentsbreatheinandwhentheybreatheout,theyalsohum.
Havestudentspracticelengtheningtheexhale,andlengtheningthehum.
Havestudentshumonahigherpitch.Askthemwheretheyfeelthehum.(Shouldbehigher
upintheirhead)
Havestudentshumonalowerpitch.Askthemwheretheyfeelthehum.(Shouldbedeepin
theirchest)
Studentsbreatheinandwhentheybreatheouttheystarttheirhumwiththemouthclosed.
AttheendoftheexhaletheyopentheirmouthswithaMAAAAA.
Vowel Vocalization
Takethemthroughthefollowingpatterns:
MAMEYMEEMIMOEMOO
TATEYTEETITOETOO
FAFEYFEEFIFOEFOO
LALEYLEELILOELOO
DADEYDEEDIDOEDOO
BABEYBEEBIBOEBOO
Calloutthefirstlineandhavestudentsrepeatthelinethreetimes.
Focusonarticulatingthesoundandmakingeachonedistinct.Speakclearlyandwithgood
tone.
Tongue Twisters
Establishatonguetwister.Ifitsonetheydontknow,havethemrepeatitbacktoyouline
byline.Trytheseones:
Anannoyingnoiseannoysanoyster
Aroundtheroughandruggedrocktheraggedrascalran
Ahotchpotch,mossblotched,botchedscotchblock
Thesixthsicksheikssixthsheepssick
Everyonearticulatesthetonguetwistersasfastastheycan.
Coachstudentstophysicalizethetonguetwisterastheysayit.Imaginetheyaretellinga
storyandthetonguetwisteristheirtext.

Emotional Orchestra
Dividethecastintosmallgroups.Eachgroupisasectionofanorchestraandrepresentsa
certainemotion.
Eachsectionwillcomeupwithathreesoundstoshowtheemotion.
Eachsectionwillcomeupwithagesturetogowitheachsound.
Youaretheconductor.Instructgroupsthattheyonlymaketheirsound/gesturewhen
indicated.
Coachstudentstofocusonmakingthesoundsclearanddistinctsothatitdoesntbecome
awallofnoise.
Onceeachgroupisestablishedplaywiththesound:getfaster,goslower,buildin
crescendosanddecrescendos.Buildtoabigfinishandendwithsilence.
Shakespearean Insults
Getstudentsnotonlyvocallywarmedupbutusedtothelanguagewithinsults.
Calloutaninsultandhaveeveryonerepeatit.StartwiththewordYou
Jarring,halffaced,dewberry!
Rank,foolborn,maggotpie!
Churlish,fensucked,pignut!
Mewling,swagbellied,measle!
Repeatthisuntileveryoneiscomfortablewiththeinsult.
Goaroundthecircleandsaytheinsultontheirown.Coachstudentstoreallysavorthe
wordsandthesound.

Comedy
Activephysicalwarmupsthatgetstudentslaughing.Getyourstudentsintherightframeofmind
fortheworktocome.
Tense and Release
Directstudentstotensetheirbodyandreleaseit.Asyourepeattheexercise,coach
studentstogetmoreexaggeratedwiththeirtensionandtheirrelease.Whentheytensethe
body,contortthebodyandtheface.Whentheyrelease,flopthebodyasmuchaspossible.
Two Elbows
Studentsmovearoundtheroom.Oncetheyremovingatagoodpaceandtheyhavefocus,
calloutanumberandabodypart(TwoElbows!)
Studentshavetoformgroupswiththatnumberandthatbodypart.
Alphabet Body
Drawlettersofthealphabetwithdifferentpartsofthebody.
Haveyourgroupdothisallatonceandthenhavevolunteerscomeuptoshowtheirletter.
Studentstrytoguesstheletter.
Pass Catch Throw
Thefirststudentmakesaboldphysicalposewiththeirbodyandabigsoundtogowithit.
Thepersontotheirrightrepeatstheposeandthesound.
Thatpersonthencreatestheirownboldphysicalposeandsound.Theythencalloutto
someoneacrossthecircle.Theyarethrowingtheposetothem.
Thatpersonrepeatstheposeandthesound.Theymaketheirownposeandsound.
Thepersontotheirrightrepeatstheposeandsound.Theymaketheirownposeand
sound,callouttosomeoneacrossthecircleandthrowittothem.
Coachthestudentstobebigandboldwiththeirmovementsandtorememberthepattern.
Makethepose,passittothepersonbesideyou,makeyourownpose,throwitacrossthe
circle.Ittakesfocusandconcentration!

Instant Fairy Tale
Dividestudentsintogroupsandhavethemputtogetheroneminuteversionsofwellknown
fairytales.
Dontgivestudentsalotoftimetoworkonthis.Maybejustaminute!Getthemworking
together,andfocusedongettingsomethingonitsfeetfast.Focusontheprocess,notthe
product.
Foreign Film Improv
Fourvolunteerscomeuptothefront.Getasuggestionfromthegroupforaforeignfilmtitle.
Decidewhothetwocharactersinthescenewillbe.
Twowillperform,speakingonlyingibberish.Aftereachline,theothertwowilltranslate
whatthefirsttwoaresayingintoEnglish.
Coachtheperformerstobeasphysicalastheycan.Givethetranslatorssomethingtowork
with.
Props Improv
Dividegroupintotwo.Giveeachgroupaprop.
TwoactorsfromGroupAusetheirpropina25secondscene.Thentwoactorsfrom
GroupBusetheirpropina25secondscene.Repeat.
Theaimofthegameistousethepropadifferentwayeverytime.Agiantbowtiebecomes
helicopterblades,abutterfly,agirlsexaggeratedaccessory.
Sit, Stand, Kneel, Lie down
Fourstudentscometothefrontandstartascenebasedonalocationandafirstlinefrom
thegroup.
Duringthesceneonepersonmustbestanding,onemustbesitting,onemustbekneeling,
onemustbelyingdown.
Ifsomeonemovesfromsittingtostanding,thatmeanseveryoneelsehastochange
position.
Coachstudentstoworktomakethechoicetruthfulinthescene.Whatsagoodreasonfor
someonetoliedown?
Addon:Addafifthpersontothesceneandafifthactionjumping.Thatmeansone
personmustalwaysbejumpinginthescene.

Experts Improv
Asceneforaninterviewerandthreestudents,whowillplayathreeheadedExpert.The
expertanswersquestionsonewordatatime.
GetatopicfromthegroupforthethreeheadedExpert.
TheinterviewerinterviewstheExpertontheirtopic.Theycanalsogetquestionsfromthe
audience.
Group Race
Divideyourstudentsintogroups.Giveeachgroupfivelargecardboardsquares.Establish
thefinishlineattheothersideoftheroom.
Eachgroupisinarace.Theonlywaythegroupcanmoveisonthesquares.Thegroup
mustalsomovetogether,theycantsendacoupleofpeopleforward.
Ifsomeonefallsoffthesquare,thegrouphastogobacktothebeginningandrestart.
Thefirstgrouptothefinishlinetogetherwins.

Drama
Listeningexercises.Getstudentsusedtolisteningandreactingsothatwhenthesemoments
comeupinthedramatheywillpresentasgenuine.Thekeytoactinginaseriousmomentisto
listenandreactandnotjustsaylinesbyrote.
Key Master
Studentssitinacircle.Thereisonepersoninthecentre,blindfolded.
Thepersoninthecentrehasakeyringonthefloorinfrontofthem.
ThegoalisforsomeonetosneakforwardandremovethekeyswithouttheKeymaster
hearing.
IftheKeymasterhearsthekeys,theypointinthedirectionofthenoise.Iftheypointata
person,theyreout.
Simon Says
OnepersonistheCaller,therestoftheclassarrangesthemselvesinfrontofthecaller.
TheCallertellsthegroupwhatactionstheyshoulddo,prefacingeachwithSimonsays
(Simonsaysliftyourleg,Simonsaysspininacircle).Atrandompoints,thecallerwill
suggestanactionwithouttheSimonssays.Thosewhodotheactionareout.
Getcreativewithvariationsusecompoundactions.Haveactionsstudentsmustdoin
pairs.Haveachantthatthosewhogetoutmustperform.Speeduptheactions,slowthem
down.Havestudentsplaythegameincharacterhowwouldtheircharacterplay?
Alphabet Order
Thisgamefocusesonlisteningandfocusingasagroup.
Studentssitinacircle.Thegoalistorunthroughthealphabetinorder,butnotintheorder
ofthecircle.Theordermustberandom.
Iftwostudentssaythenextletteratthesametime,restartagainfromA.

You
Thefirstpersonmakeseyecontactwithsomeoneacrossthecircle,pointsatthemand
saysYou.
Thesecondpersonmakeseyecontactwithsomeoneacrossthecircle,pointsatthemand
saysYou.
Thepatterncontinuesuntilthelastpersonmakeseyecontactwiththefirstperson,pointsat
themandsaysYou.
Repeatthepattern.ThegoalistopasstheYouintheexactsameorderasthefirsttime.
Thismaytakeacoupleoftriestogetthepatterndownpat.
OncetheYoupatternisestablishedanewfirstpersonstartsanewpatternfood.The
firstpersonmakeseyecontactwithsomeoneacrossthecircle,pointsatthemandsays
apple.
Thesecondpersonmakeseyecontactwithsomeoneacrossthecircle,pointsatthemand
sayscarrot.
Thepatterncontinuesuntilthelastpersonmakeseyecontactwiththefirstperson,pointsat
themandcallsoutafood.
Repeatthepattern.Thegoalistopassthefoodpatternintheexactsameorderasthefirst
time.
Nowitgetstricky.StarttheYoupattern.AndthenrightafterstarttheFoodpattern.People
havetofocusandrememberwhotheyreceivedyoufromandwhotheyresendingittoo.
Atthesametimetheyhavetorememberthefoodbeforetheirs,whattheirfoodis,andwho
theysenditto.
Thisgametakespractice,practice,practice.Itsawonderfulfocusandlisteningwarmup.
Afteryouperfectsendingtwopatternsthroughoutthecircle.Addathirdflowers.

Go Stop Clap Jump
Studentsmoveaboutthespace.
Therearefourcommands(Go,Stop,Clap,Jump)andfourobviousactions.
WhenyouhearGo,youmoveforward.
WhenyouhearStop,youstop.
WhenyouhearClap,youclapyourhands.
WhenyouhearJump,youjumpup.
Onceeveryonehasmasteredthesecommands,inverttheassociatedaction.
WhenyouhearGo,youstop.
WhenyouhearStop,youmoveforward.
WhenyouhearClap,youjump.
WhenyouhearJump,youclap.
Studentshavetofocustomatchthecommandwiththeaction.Tomakeitharder,scramble
theactionsfurther(WhenyouhearGo,clap.WhenyouhearClap,stop,etc.)
Monkey Say Monkey Do
Studentsgetinacircle.Twostudentsstandfacetofaceinthecentreofthecircle.
Persononehastocomeupwithaphysicalaction(eg.jumpingupanddown)andatthe
sametimesayanaction(eg.Iamspinninginacircle).Persontwohastodemonstrate
theverbalaction,NOTthephysicalaction.So,PersonTwowouldhavetospininacircle,
notjumpupanddown.
Haveanotherpaircometothecentreandtrytheirluck.Here'salistofactions:
jumpupanddown
spininacircle
dothetwist
slapyourknees
thechickendance
clickyourheels
dothefrontcrawl
doahighkick

Student Directors
Studentdirectorsneedtocreateanenvironmentofcommand.Eventhoughtheyreworkingwith
theirpeers,theyrestillincharge.Lookforwarmupswherethecasthastofollowinstructions.Get
thecastusedtolisteningandtakingdirection.
Two Elbows
Studentsmovearoundtheroom.Oncetheyremovingatagoodpaceandtheyhavefocus,
calloutanumberandabodypart(TwoElbows!)
Studentshavetoformgroupswiththatnumberandthatbodypart.
Environment Walks
Studentsmoveabouttheroomwithpurpose.
Calloutdifferentenvironmentsforstudentstoimaginetheyrewalkingthrough.
BlizzardinAntarctica
Hotdrydesert
Jungle
NewYorkCity
TheMoon
Mountaintop
Forest
Calloutdifferentsurfacesforstudentstowalkon
JellO
Quicksand
Icerink
Swamp
Rockyground
cobblestones
mud
hotlava

Call and Response
Chantsworkwellbecauseyoudonthavetoteachthem.Youcalloutalineandthegroup
responds.Bestrongwithyourcall,showyourcastyoudontthinkitssilly.Afteryougetusedtothe
chant,addagestureormovementtogowithit.
Ooh kah lay lah

A tarrie tickie tumba
A messie mazzie muzza
Ooh a-lah way
A way a lah lay
Lead Around
Studentsmovearoundtheroom.Oncetheyremovingatagoodpaceandhavefocus,call
outabodypart(Nose,elbow,butt,knees)
Whenstudentshearthatbodypart,thisbecomesthelead.Theyhavetomovearoundthe
roomasiftheyarebeingleadbythatbodypart.
Coachthegrouptoreallyexaggeratethemovement.Iftheyrebeingledbythenose,stick
thatnoseoutthere!
Boom Chicka Boom
Acallandresponseactivity.Youcalloutaline,thegroupresponds:
IsaidaBoomchickaboom!
IsaidaBoomchickaboom!
Uhhuh.
Ohyeah.
Sayitagain
Inahighvoice!
Repeatthechantandattheendchangetheinstruction:inahighvoice,inalowvoice,like
youreunderwater,likeanoperasinger,likeadrillsergeant,realslow,reallyfast,ina
Britishaccent,inasouthernaccent,likearobot,likeacomputergeek,likeaghost.
Commitfullytothechantandthewayyousaythechant.Themoreyoucommit,themore
yourgroupwillparticipate.

Go Stop Clap Jump
Studentsmoveaboutthespace.
Therearefourcommands(Go,Stop,Clap,Jump)andfourobviousactions.
WhenyouhearGo,youmoveforward.
WhenyouhearStop,youstop.
WhenyouhearClap,youclapyourhands.
WhenyouhearJump,youjumpup.
Onceeveryonehasmasteredthesecommands,inverttheassociatedaction.
WhenyouhearGo,youstop.
WhenyouhearStop,youmoveforward.
WhenyouhearClap,youjump.
WhenyouhearJump,youclap.
Studentshavetofocustomatchthecommandwiththeaction.Tomakeitharder,scramble
theactionsfurther(WhenyouhearGo,clap.WhenyouhearClap,stop,etc.)
Moving Day
Dividecastintogroupsofthree.
Twostandfacetofacewiththeirarmsupandpalmstouching.Theyarethehouse.The
thirdpersonstandsbetweentheminsidethehouse.Theyaretheowner.
Youregoingtocalloutoneofthreethings:House,Owner,MovingDay.
OnHouseeveryoneformingthehouseleavestheirpartnertoformahousewithsomeone
else.
OnOwnerallOwnersinsidethehouseleavetofindanotherhouse.
OnMovingDayeveryonescatters,eitherforminganewhouseorbecomingtheowner
insideanewhouse.

Warm Ups For Different Types of Plays

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Copyright:

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Warm Ups For Different Types of Plays

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Warm-Up Round Table:

Warm-Ups for Different types of plays

One Word Stories

Buzz, Zap, Whee

Tense and Release

Bus Stop Improv

What are you doing?

Abstract/Absurd Nursery Rhyme

Choral Speaking and Stylized Movement

Stretch and Shake

Yawn and chew

Tense and Release

Pass Catch Throw

Foreign Film Improv

Sit, Stand, Kneel, Lie down

Monkey Say Monkey Do

Ooh kah lay lah

Boom Chicka Boom

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