Improv Games

Here is a list of Improv Games we’ve used in our Sunday School Class.

Guessing Games

Late Excuse

Three active players: one late Employee (guesser), one Friend (clue giver), and one Boss.

Scene: An Employee is late for work again and must give an excuse to an upset Boss. Their Friend, seeing the tricky situation, stands behind the boss and pantomimes three excuses to help the Employee out, each one more absurd than the last.

Setup: the Employee leaves the room while inactive players brainstorm three excuses: a realistic, everyday excuse, an improbable but possible excuse, and an outrageous, impossible excuse. The Boss sits in a chair with space behind for the Friend to stand behind and give silent clues. The Employee then sits in front of the boss.

Other Rules: As in most improv games, everyone wins when the guesser succeeds but entertains us while getting there. The Boss should ask questions that lead the Employee toward the right answer without giving it away. The Boss directs the show here. If the Boss turns around the Friend must pretend to get back to work, they cannot be caught giving clues.

American Cooking Show

Four active players: one Celebrity Judge (guesser), and three Contestants (performers)

Scene: A Celebrity Judge is hosting an American cooking show and we are down to the final three Contestants. Each Contestant will be given two wacky ingredients with which to make a specific dish. The Judge will watch each Contestant make their dish, taste it, and identify it. After all three Contestants have presented their dishes, the Judge will select the winner.

Podcast

Four active players: one Host (guesser), and three Celebrity Guests (clue givers).

Scene: A podcast Host has three Celebrity Guests on the show. The only catch is, he can’t remember who he brought on this week. By asking interview questions, the Host must attempt to identify the three guests without revealing that he does not remember who they are.

Object-work Games

Interior Designer

Four to Eight active Players: four Designers and four Actors (roles may overlap).

Scene: A team of interior decorators are designing a set for a hit sitcom. They will fill a room with props and set pieces for the actors to use when they perform. We will then watch an episode of the sitcom set in this room.

More Than One Way…

All active players.

Scene: We all know the expression “there’s more than one way to skin a cat.” But exactly how many ways are there? This game seeks to answer that question as players find creative uses for imaginary cats.

Setup: Players sit around the room. Whenever someone has an idea they can stand up and perform. Players take turns using a pantomime “cat” instead of an everyday object. For example, using a cat as a basketball, or a towel, or a banjo. Players will need to both express well what they are attempting to do, but also creatively imagine how using a cat would change the activity.

Other Rules: We use a cat because it’s funny. But this same game could be played with a banana, a carton of eggs, a potted plant. Fragile or soft items usually work better but as long as you are using something other than it was intended the game is still fun.

Scene-work Games

News Report

All active players.

Scene: Your typical evening news program bounces between the newsroom, field reporters, and advertisements. Tune in to see what events unfold.

Setup: Players circle the center where the performance will occur. In this game, players hop in when they have an idea and hop out when they are “tapped out” by another player. The game begins with a scene between two people, this can be anything. Next, a player or two can step in as newscasters and report on what just happened. The game continues as players jump around between unfolding action and reporting. By the end, a story will have likely unfolded between these different reports.

Other Rules: If things get too crazy, players may also choose to jump in with an ad break. These should be simple enough to act as a pallet cleanser (these products may find their way into the other scenes too). Before you begin it might be a good idea to clarify some ground rules to keep things running smoothly. No more than two players in the middle at a time is usually a good choice.

Scenelettes

All active players.

Scene: A simplified version of long-form improv.