Hidden Conflict

Exercise Intermediate 20 min 2–6

Description

In this exercise, players engage in a scene with an unseen conflict. Each player independently identifies an emotional conflict related to their character's situation without revealing it to others. The goal is to create tension and dynamics based on these hidden conflicts.
Players decide on the location, characters, and scenario together before beginning. They must express their emotions while keeping their conflicts secret.

Setup Requirements

A space for improvisation; paper and pens for writing hidden conflicts if using the variation.

Point of Concentration

Never verbalize the hidden conflict.

Side Coaching

  • Encourage clarity in body language to convey hidden emotions.
  • Remind players to listen and react to each other without revealing their conflict.
  • Support the use of objects to heighten the interaction related to their hidden feelings.

Points of Observation

  • Watch for the subtle cues players give about their hidden conflicts.
  • Notice how the tension builds as conflicts stay concealed.
  • Identify when a player's internal conflict changes the dynamic of the scene.

Evaluation

  • What did you learn about communicating hidden emotions?
  • How did keeping the conflict secret affect your performance?
  • What strategies helped you stay engaged despite the hidden nature of your conflict?

Examples

Example scenario: Where—kitchen. Who—husband and wife. What—breakfast.
Husband thinks: 'I am not going to work.'
Wife thinks: 'I want him to leave. I’m expecting a visitor.'

Tags

improv communication emotion conflict scene work