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

Roll Call

Where we learned it: Acting class at NU
Ages: 4th grade and up
Materials: None

Process:

1. Stand in a circle.
2. Take turns saying the following chant in rhythm with a clapping beat:

“My name is _______________ (name).
I am _____________________ (age).
I like to __________________ (an action).
And it goes like this…”

3. As one person chants, the rest of the circle claps in time and says, “Yeah!” after each line.
4. After the last line, the person chanting demonstrates her action (e.g., if they said, “I like to read,” they would demonstrate reading a book).
5. The rest of the circle copies the demonstration and steps in and out of the circle as they all say:

“_______ (name of action) in, _________ out.
Introduce yourself.
_______ (name of action) in, _________ out.
Introduce yourself.”

6. Once one person has finished her chant, reestablish the clapping rhythm and the next person in the circle begins the chant.
7. Continue until every person has introduced himself or herself.

Variations:

1. Change the second line to state a descriptive adjective, a grade level, a place of birth or anything else that is of interest to your class.