HOW TO PLAY SOME GREAT THEATER GAMES PART 2

HOW TO PLAY SOME GREAT

THEATER GAMES

 PART 1 / PART 2

Watch great examples at

http://www.youtube.com/user/8classics

LET’S START A SCENE – (AKA TWO LINE EXERCISE)
Player one starts scene with a physical activity. Player two starts with first line of dialogue. In the first one to three lines of the scene, players should establish a strong WHO & WHERE – both players should have identified their characters, the relationship between the characters, and the location of the scene.

COLUMNS or HUMAN MAD LIBS (TM)
(CLICK HERE TO SEE EXAMPLES OF THIS GAME)
The MC calls two audience volunteers to the stage. They sit or stand on the DS (down stage) corners. The Players perform a scene, using the “Columns” to fill in the blanks. Players should repeat the word or phrase and then justify it into the scene. TIP: Start the scene as in the game above. Make strong choices of WHO & WHERE before using the COLUMNS.

SWITCH
(CLICK HERE TO SEE EXAMPLES OF THIS GAME)
Two actors perform a scene. EIGHT players often ASK FOR a fairy tale, but any set-up will do. When ever MC yells switch, the actors switch up the word, phrase, sentence, or physical activity that just occurred. “I just got back form the doctor” SWITCH “I just got back from the teacher” SWITCH “Been here the whole time”. Try switching just one word or entire phrase. Try switching the inflections instead of words. Try saying same line but changing physical activity. In the best scenes, players maintain great story telling while adjusting to the ping-pong nature of the switches. Making sense is not important as long as the scene moves forward. TIP for the MC: The magic number in comedy is THREE. So try getting into the pattern of calling SWITCH twice. NOTE: This game is also called the NO GAME, CHANGE SELECTION and a number of other titles based on the word(s) used to SWITCH the suggestion. We fine SWITCH is the quickest most positive word for the job!

MIRACLE EAR
(CLICK HERE TO SEE EXAMPLES OF THIS GAME)

Two players perform and interview scene. The MC gets a book title. Interviewer begins introducing the show. Give the show and the players imaginary titles. After a short discussion about the book, dive into the life of the author. Wrap up by telling folks where they can buy the book. During the interview, a third player has to interpret the scene using fake sign language. TIP to SIGN LANGUAGE: Act out as much as possible. Alternate direct representation of words and actually becoming characters in situations.

FREEZE FRAME / HUMAN SLIDE SHOW
(CLICK HERE TO SEE EXAMPLES OF THIS GAME)
Players and audience volunteers create a series of posed pictures, often utilizing a black out in between each. 1-2 actors narrate the slide show. Narrators can take on characters – witnesses, experts, celebrities etc. Slides can depict an historical event, vacation photos, how-to manual etc. TIPS Usually about 5 slides is perfect for timing. Alternate summing entire effect of picture and calling upon specific players.

CONDUCTED STORY
(CLICK HERE TO SEE EXAMPLES OF THIS GAME)
Players take turn telling an original story. The MC points to one player at a time. When the MC points at you, you speak until MC moves hand to another player. The goal is to make the story flow form one player to the next, sometimes mid-sentence or even mid-word. VARIATION ONE Elimination – Make it a contest. If anyone messes up, they are eliminated. VARIATION TWO Authors – Each player takes on the persona of an author, politician, celebrity etc. (Most of our online videos are of AUTHORS)