Common Improv Exercises in Acting Courses

Updated: 
17 March, 2025

Improvisation, or improv, is a cornerstone of acting training. It’s about unlocking creativity, building confidence, and developing the ability to connect with others on stage. Improv teaches you to be present in the moment, listen actively, and respond authentically.

Common Improv Exercises in Acting Courses

Here are some of the most popular improv exercises you’re likely to encounter in acting classes:

1. "Yes, And..."

The golden rule of improv, "Yes, And..." is the foundation of all improv exercises. In this exercise, one actor makes a statement, and the other actor must accept it (say "yes") and build on it (add "and"). For example:

  • Actor 1: "I can’t believe we’re stuck in this elevator!"
  • Actor 2: "Yes, and it’s getting hotter by the minute!"

This exercise teaches actors to accept offers from their scene partners and keep the scene moving forward. It encourages collaboration and creativity, as each actor builds on the other’s ideas.

2. Character Walk

In this exercise, actors walk around the room while the instructor calls out different characters or emotions. For example, you might be asked to walk like a confident CEO, a shy teenager, or someone who just won the lottery. The goal is to physically embody the character and let their emotions influence your movement.

This exercise helps actors explore physicality and how it connects to character development. It’s a great way to break out of your comfort zone and experiment with different personas.

3. Freeze Tag

Freeze Tag is a fast-paced improv game where two actors start a scene. At any point, someone from the audience can shout "Freeze!" The actors freeze in place, and the audience member takes over one of the positions to start a completely new scene. The new scene must be unrelated to the previous one.

This exercise is excellent for quick thinking and adaptability. It challenges actors to jump into new scenarios without hesitation and find creative ways to connect with their scene partners.

4. Emotional Rollercoaster

In this exercise, actors perform a scene while the instructor calls out different emotions for them to switch between. For example, you might start a scene as a happy couple, then suddenly switch to anger, followed by sadness, and so on.

This exercise helps actors explore a wide range of emotions and learn how to transition between them seamlessly. It’s also a great way to practice emotional authenticity and vulnerability on stage.

5. One-Word Story

In this exercise, a group of actors stands in a circle and tells a story one word at a time. Each actor contributes a single word, and the story must make sense (or at least be entertaining!). For example:

  • Actor 1: "Once"
  • Actor 2: "upon"
  • Actor 3: "a"
  • Actor 4: "time..."

This exercise emphasizes listening and teamwork. It forces actors to pay close attention to what’s being said and build on it, rather than planning ahead or trying to control the story.

6. Object Transformation

In this exercise, an actor is given an ordinary object (like a pen or a chair) and must transform it into something completely different through their imagination and physicality. For example, a pen might become a microphone, a sword, or even a magic wand.

This exercise encourages creativity and helps actors think outside the box. It also strengthens physical acting skills, as actors must use their bodies to sell the transformation.

7. Gibberish Conversation

In this exercise, two actors have a conversation entirely in gibberish—a made-up language with no real words. The goal is to communicate emotions, intentions, and relationships through tone, body language, and facial expressions.

This exercise is fantastic for developing non-verbal communication skills. It forces actors to rely on their physicality and emotional expression to convey meaning, which is essential for stage and screen acting.

8. Scene Replay

In this exercise, two actors perform a short scene. After the scene ends, they replay it, but this time, they must exaggerate their emotions, actions, or dialogue. The goal is to explore different ways of performing the same scene and discover new nuances in the characters and relationships.

This exercise helps actors break out of their comfort zones and explore different interpretations of a scene. It’s a great way to experiment with bold choices and push the boundaries of your performance.

How Improv Exercises Benefit Actors

Improv exercises offer a wide range of acting benefits for actors, including:

  • Enhanced Creativity: Improv encourages you to think outside the box and explore new ideas.
  • Improved Listening Skills: You learn to listen actively and respond authentically to your scene partners.
  • Increased Confidence: Improv helps you overcome fear of failure and embrace spontaneity.
  • Stronger Ensemble Work: Improv fosters collaboration and trust among actors, leading to stronger ensemble performances.
  • Versatility: Improv teaches you to adapt quickly to new situations, making you a more versatile performer.

Embrace the Power of Improv

Improv exercises gather a full range of acting method, they’re powerful tools for growth and self-discovery as an actor. Whether you’re looking to build confidence, improve your listening skills, or simply have fun, improv has something to offer.

So, ready to tackle the challenge with Act Attack?