Starters for Improvisations

Here are some ideas that can start you and a partner doing an improvisation.

• Decide who will be which character. You can play either a boy or a girl, or you can change the names of the characters.
• The first line for one of the characters is given. Start there.
• Listen carefully to what your partner says.
• Watch what he or she does.
• Use your imagination to answer your partner's character and to respond to what they do.
• Stay in character and make up dialogue until the problem is solved
• After you’ve finished your improvisation, be certain to discuss what you’ve done – your performance and the meaning of the drama. See Questions about Improvisation to help with your discussion.

Remember to keep the improvisation going until the problem is solved. Be certain to listen to one another and to respond realistically to what your partner says.

1. The baby is lost
   Mama: Peter? Where is your baby brother?
   Peter:
   
2. Jimmy wants to stop Otis from bullying the little kids.
   Jimmy: Otis, why are you so mean to the little kids?
   Otis:
   
3. It’s the first day of school. Todd, a kindergartener, is
   lost and scared.
   Principal: Well, young man, what’s your name?
   Todd:
   
4. The American Revolutionary War. Mary and Grace
   meet in the apothecary shop. Mary’s brother is helping the men wounded in the militia. Grace supports King George.
   
   
   Grace: I hope you’re not buying medicine for those
   awful men that are fighting against our brave English soldiers!
   Mary:
   
5. Civil War. The Captain needs one soldier to sneak
   behind the Southern lines to find out where Lee’s army is marching. Jeremy and Richard are two soldiers.
   Jeremy: I’m exhausted. My feet are so sore, I think
   I’d feel better without these worn out boots!
   (Captain enters.)
   Captain:
   
6. Ellis Island, New York, the entry point to the United
   States for immigrants in the late 19th century. The
   Immigrants must be healthy or they will not be
   admitted. They have spent all their money to get to
   America and the trip has been long and tiring. They
   desperately want to be admitted.
   The Doctor: Do you feel sick?
   The boy with a high fever:

      

Copyright © 2002 by Arizona State University and the Arizona Board of Regents.