In this exercise, players will explore nervous habits or tics by recalling and adopting them. Each player identifies a habit or tic from someone they’ve met who has experienced it. The goal is to understand, not mock, these habits. The teacher should emphasize that while the exercise includes humor, it should come from a place of empathy.
Setup Requirements
Open space for movement and performance.
Point of Concentration
Adopting a nervous habit or tic.
Side Coaching
Encourage players to fully embody the habit through physicality.
Remind them to focus on the emotional connections behind each tic.
Stress the importance of understanding the essence of the habit rather than just imitating it.
Points of Observation
Watch for authentic physical expression of emotions linked to the habits.
Note how well players can relate the tic to personal experiences of fear or shock.
Observe interactions among players to see if they genuinely empathize with the portrayed habits.
Evaluation
Discuss the reasons behind nervous habits and if they are linked to internal issues.
Ask if students think these habits are learned or innate.
Engage in a conversation about how emotions relate to physical expressions.
Examples
1. A player adopts a habit of biting their nails when anxious.
2. Another player mimics a tic of twitching whenever they feel nervous.
3. A player freezes and holds their breath at sudden noises, like bombs falling in a scene.