This exercise was co-created as part of a collaboration day between myself and Geoff Watts, and from frequent visits to watch the Comedy Store Players perform in London. Timings: 5-10 mins Materials: 4 willing volunteers Instructions: One person plays “the interviewer” The other three people play the “interviewee”. The only rule they must follow is that they must answer any questions one word at a…
Story Spines
Simon Bennett generously introduced us to this game during the Scrum Trainers Retreat in Amsterdam in 2010. It is a common improv game Timing: 15 minutes Materials: 6 Chairs Pre-prepared index cards with story element structures (See below) Instructions: Preparation Set out 6 chairs in a row from left to right On chair 1 place an index card with the following words: “Once upon a…
Once Upon A Time In Legoland
This exercise was co-created as part of a collaboration day between myself and Paul Goddard Timing: 60 minutes Materials: A lot of Lego (Optional) A Digital Camera and Photo printer Instructions: Preparation Ask the group to come up with: a person from history, a colour and an object. Construct a title out of these e.g. The story of Napoleon and the yellow pillow Set the…
Swedish Stories
This exercise was co-created as part of a collaboration day between myself and Paul Goddard and was inspired by Neil Mullarkey Timing: 15 minutes Materials: None Instructions: Arrange the group so one person is at the front of the group with a number of other participants sitting facing him/her The objective is for person 1 to tell a story…with a twist Every now and then…
First Letter, Last Letter
This exercise was co-created as part of a collaboration day between myself and Paul Goddard Timing: 5-15 minutes Materials: None Instructions: Explain that this is an exercise that requires concentration and listening The team stand in a circle and are required to tell a story, with each person responsible for one sentence each Each person must start their sentence with the last letter of the…