Theatre Education: A Resource of Practical and Project-Based Warm-ups/Theatre Games for K-12

Name Game

Where we learned it: Methods of Teaching Drama at ASU
Ages: 4th grade and up
Materials: None

Process:

1. Have everyone stand in a circle. 
2. The teacher begins saying her name and doing a sound and/or movement to go along with it (e.g., “My name is Niki and I’m excited,” as I put my arms up in the air.  Or if I like to dance, I may say, “My name is Niki,” while I’m dancing).
3. The entire class then repeats the name and action/sound/word. 
4. The next person introduces herself and does a sound and/or movement.  The class repeats this and then repeats the first person’s name and action.  Continue going around the circle always repeating the previous people. 
5. After about seven people, start anew with the next person, starting over after about every seven people.  When you have reached the last person, then do the entire circle as a class.  When complete, ask if anyone in the class thinks they can go around the whole circle by themselves. 
6. Discuss how everyone is there for each other and the power of the group.  If one person forgets, there always seems to be another person in the circle that remembers and can support them.