How to Play the Improv You Game

Improv, which stands for improvisational is a way for stage actors to warm up their brains and get themselves into character. Actors do not use scripts or anything else that is prepared ahead of time, but rely on their own minds and acting skills to play a part. There are a large number of actors that started out in improv groups before gaining popularity on the big screen. Many theater groups even require improv games such as improv you to get their actors warmed up before hitting the stage. If you want to play the improv you game, get your imagination ready and your creative juices flowing.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Have the entire group sit in a circle with one hand in the air and pick one person to start the game. This person will drop their hand and say “you” as they point to someone else. This person will then lower their hand and point to another person, who now becomes “you”.

2. Go around the group one time until everyone has their hand down. Continue going around the same group until everyone learns the basic pattern and knows the order of who should drop their hand next.

3. Add to the pattern by picking a new topic such as animals. The group will now need to name an animal when they point to the next person, but you still need to continue the same pattern or order of people.

4. To challenge the group you can play several games at once by picking a variety of topics like animals, television shows, and actors. Let several people start the pointing pattern at one time, which means that multiple people will be pointing at one time.

5. Practice the you game before every performance. It sounds confusing now, but once you start playing, you’ll get the hang of things. It gets your brain flowing and helps you with your acting skills.

Tips & Warnings

• Mix things up by running through the letters of the alphabet or counting numbers. Each member of the group will follow the established pattern, but now have to follow the alphabet or numbers instead of repeating the same word over and over again.