During this workshop, participants tried different Improv games applied to topics
related with intercultural communication.
As an example, we started by playing a game in which everyone stood in a circle and
passed words (names, places and fruits) across that circle. For every kind of words
you’d get a name, place or fruit from a particular person and had to pass it to another
specific participant. The goal of the game was not to loose words, despite the noise of
other words being passed around. We used this game to talk about some challenges
that arise in communication
Another game involved players acting out characters that had different status (power
relations), and then were called to switch roles mid-scene. We used this game to talk
about empathy and its relevancy in communicating across cultures.
After playing several improv games applied to the topic of Intercultural
communication, the participants themselves adapted existing games in
improvisational theatre to tackle relevant topics of this subject. They were given a
description of a game and a template to fill in that included:
- The tweaks or alterations they made to the original game in order to be able
to apply it in a training setting;
- The metaphor: the topic they want to discuss by playing the game;
- Debriefing questions that may be asked to the participants to reflect on the
game in relation to the topic at hand.
These are the activities that resulted from this exercise:
Distance Game
Two players stand a few feet apart facing each other and have the most boring 4-line
interchange possible. They then each secretly pick a specific distance they want to be
from the other person and repeat the interchange while maintaining the distance.
The maintaining of distance automatically seems to affect people`s emotional
commitment and inflection. The key is to have a specific distance in mind down to the
inch. If one person picks 1 foot but the other picks a foot and a half. You will see
some interesting conflict because of that extra half a foot.
--------------------
Metaphor
The distance players have to keep can be used to discuss the different cultural norms
for each person (the unwritten rules).
Debriefing questions
- Was it difficult, why?
- How can you improve this situation?
- Where do you encounter similar situations?
- How is this related to your exchange?
--------------------
From zero to emotion
Two players play out a scene. One player says a sentence in a neutral tone. The other
player imagines that sentence said with a given meaning, then starts acting as if it
was said with that intention. For example:
- The sky is blue today
Could lead to both to:
- No, I’m not going out, mother, I’m about to beat my high score!
Or:
- Huh… Yes, yes, good weather… Which floor are you going to?
Tweaks:
In a group:
- story;
- conversation;
- collecting quick interpretations and compare.
Metaphor:
The game was used to talk about the importance of non-verbal communication.
--------------------
You’re fired
This is a scene with 2 players, in which the lines are scripted. Here’s the script:
(1) {Knocks on a door}
(2) Come in. You know why I called you?
(1) {Indicates she does not know why} n
(2) {Hands 1 a (mimed) piece of paper}
(1) I thought you wouldn’t take that into account?
(2) You’re fired.
(1) Fine. I hated that stupid job anyway.
Have the players play that scene. They need to stick to the script, but can really do
anything as long as they don’t add any lines. It probably won’t be all that interesting.
Then make them replay the scene, but give them a side coaching (which the other
player and the audience or the rest of the group don’t hear). See if the scenes
become any more interesting. Things you might give a player could be
You’re nervous, happy, sad, afraid of the other
The other smells nice/stinks
You turn into a crow/monkey/cow
You are in a wheelchair
etc.
Tweaks:
Change the situation from a workplace environment to a student at school being
punished.
Do a second time without using words, just mimic.
Metaphor:
How a dialogue can change depending on conditions (external context and
participants).
D.I.V.E. method
Debriefing questions:
Describe the difference between the two scenes.
Which scene is more effective/ understandable?
What makes the second scene more effective? Provide examples.
How did you feel during the activity?
--------------------
He said she said
2 players; each player will state the action the other player must perform, followed by
his own line.
Example:
1: "I want a divorce"
2: "She said, while grabbing a knife from the kitchen table." At this point player
1 needs to take a knife. Player 2 continues with his own line. "Sure Honey"
1: "He said, while turning to the sports page of the paper". Now, it`s quite
clear that player 2 should be paying more attention to the paper than to his
wife. Player 1 continues with her own line. "You`re not listening to me"
and so on.
Tweaks:
To make it more vivid and organic, the audience (the ones not playing the game) can
be responsible for telling what’s happening/ making the scene narration.
Metaphor:
Being flexible to changes
The same words can mean totally different things
Debriefing questions:
What was difficult?
How did you manage to overcome those difficulties?