How to Play The "What Are You Doing" Improv Game

The improv game "What are you doing" is popular for warm ups and theater sports shows. It is surprisingly difficult to do one thing and say another! But "What are you doing" is always a grand time and a very good improv game to learn.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Separate your improvisers into two equal groups.

2. Separate into two lines across from each other.

3. One improviser from each side should come out to the center of the stage or playing space.

4. One of the two players should ask for a suggestion from the audience or teacher.

5. Using inspiration from the suggestion, one of the improvisers should began to mine a physical action, such as digging.

6. The other improviser should ask, "What are you doing?"

7. The first improviser should answer immediately with a physical action she is not doing, such as painting a wall.

8. The second improviser should then begin to mime painting a wall.

9. The first improviser should then ask the second "What are you doing?" to which he will respond immediately with another physical action they are not doing, such as playing golf.

10. The first improviser should then mine playing golf.

11. The players continue until one says what they are actually doing or takes too long in answering.

12. Then the losing player should step out and his or her teammate should take his or her place and begin the game where it left off.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't think, react.