HOLD IT! A

Exercise Intermediate 20 min 4–10

Description

In this exercise, players explore physical expressions tied to emotional statements. They will embody these feelings while performing short scenes, enhancing their improvisational skills.
Players take turns stating an expressive phrase like:
  • “Nobody loves me.”
  • “I never have any fun.”
  • “I wish I had nice things.”
  • “Tomorrow will be better.”
Once a player achieves a definite physical expression, they hold it while engaging in various scenes.

Setup Requirements

Open stage area with enough space for players to perform physical expressions and scenes.

Point of Concentration

Maintain physical expression throughout scenes.

Side Coaching

  • Encourage strong physicality that clearly conveys the emotional statement.
  • Remind players to stay in character during scene changes.
  • Highlight the importance of energy and commitment in their expressions.

Points of Observation

  • Watch how well players maintain their expressions throughout different scenes.
  • Note the adjustments in their physicality based on scene context.
  • Pay attention to how the expressions influence interactions with others.

Evaluation

  • Did players maintain their expressions through the scenes?
  • How did their expressions change, if at all, for different contexts?
  • What emotions were effectively communicated to the audience?

Examples

  • Child at nursery school expressing joy.
  • Couple at a marriage proposal showing nervous excitement.
  • Old age discussing past memories with nostalgia.

Tags

group improv physical emotions expression