Theatre

Games

What are theatre games?

Theatre games can include, but are not limited to:

Benefits?

Theatre games will provide some of the same benefits of storytelling. These games can be used to help improve your:

  • Ability to 'think on your feet'
  • Adaptability
  • Body language
  • Communication
  • Confidence
  • Creativity
  • Critical thinking
  • Cure stage fright
  • Imagination
  • Literary skills especially for playwriting
  • Opportunities for diversity
  • Problem solving skills
  • Provide hours of fun
  • Self-esteem
  • Social interaction
  • Speaking skills
  • Stage presence
  • Standards of ethics
  • Team playing
  • Theatre & drama foundation
  • Vocabulary
  • Vocal expression
  • And even, help to bring peace to earth & goodwill to men through understanding one another's stories!

Brief History & Acknowledgment

Viola Spolin has been accredited as the originator of theatre games. She began compiling, creating & developing these games in 1945 in Chicago after decades of training & studying with our nation's finest theatre teachers. Many of her games can be attributed to folk games, games that have been handed down and collected from generation to generation, such as: Duck, Duck, Goose, Goose; Follow the Leader; Seven-up; London Bridge, hand-clapping & jump-roping games & much, much more.

The most popular theatre games are spin-offs from either Viola's games or re-constructions of children's folk games. The collection presented on this site will include both of the above, plus my own variations & creations.

Attitude

Storyteller, Susan Marie Frontczak shared with me 2 important keys for theatre performance and improvisational storytelling.

'Now I'll give you something to believe. I'm just one hundred and one, five months and a day,' said the Queen.

'I can't believe that!' said Alice.

'Can't you?' the Queen said in a pitying tone. 'Try again: draw a long breath, and shut your eyes.'

Alice laughed. 'There's no use trying,' she said: 'one can't believe impossible things.'

'I dare say you haven't had much practice,' said the Queen. 'When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.'

Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass

In theatre and especially in theatre games, you must believe. Your voice, stance, movement, facial expressions and even your thoughts, feelings and words reflect what you believe. The key to a great performance is believing.

Key #2

Say, "YES!" Now let me clarify. Does this mean that you need to say "yes" to everything? Absolutely not! Many circumstances will present themselves that require a resounding "NO!" response from your character. A "YES!" attitude simply means that you accept every challenge and situation presented to you. Nothing stops improvisational storytelling quicker than saying, "NO!" or by being negative to a situation.

Example: "NO!" or Negative Response

You're driving on the highway; your tire hits something sharp, and you have a blow-out. Your friend who is in the car with you asks, "Can I help?" You refuse his offer and answer, "no." Immediately the action stops. To move your skit forward, you would be required to initiate a new action, which is usually more difficult than going with a suggestion. If you continue to say, "no" to everything suggested, the action/skit eventually comes to a halt/fini/the end.

Example: "YES!" or Positive Response

If you're in the same situation, and accept your friend's offer with a "yes, I would love your help," then this allows your friend (the other actor in the skit) an opportunity to act and move the skit forward. You begin to 'play off of one another's ideas.' The action moves forward and you reach a resolve, basically solve the problem of the skit successfully.

Another Example:

A cab driver drives by while you're standing on the street corner and asks, "Hey Lady/Sir, do you need a ride?" Remember, the easiest way to move the action forward is by accepting their offer, so you reply, "YES!"

You accept the ride, moving the skit forward. You are also providing the cab driver with an opportunity for the next line, "Where can I take you?" he asks. Now it's your turn! You can give him an address or state your destination. The location you choose can be anywhere from the zoo, the train station, Disneyland or the moon. The more outrageous your answers are, the more interesting your skit becomes. Your destination will help initiate the next segment of the skit or plot.

Getting Started:

Feel free to make your own - it's easy. Simply write down a variety of actions and/or situations (see Improvisation for lists) and practice with your friends, family or other drama or storytelling students. The better you get, the quicker your audience will be to figure out your actions -- there's your ruler for your progress.

Tip: After each game is played, evaluate yourselves. Discuss what worked &/or how your acting work could have done better. Coach: feel free to add ideas.