Creativity · Energisers
Improv: "Yes, and…"
Short improvisation games where every idea is accepted and built upon instead of blocked.
Quick answer
How do you run Improv: "Yes, and…" with a team?
Short improvisation games where every idea is accepted and built upon instead of blocked. Duration: 30 minutes. Group size: 6–40 people. Setting: Indoor. Below you will find a step-by-step guide, the materials and facilitator tips.
- Duration
- 30 minutes
- Group size
- 6–40 people
- Setting
- Indoor
- Energy level
- High energy
- Materials
- Open space, Chairs in a circle
- Price
- Free, no sign-up
Objective
Practise building on colleagues' ideas and feel the difference between "yes, but" and "yes, and".
Materials
- Open space
- Chairs in a circle
Step by step
- Round 1 in pairs: plan a team party; every sentence starts with "Yes, but…".
- Round 2: plan the same party; every sentence starts with "Yes, and…".
- Compare the energy and ideas of both rounds.
- Group story: one sentence each around the circle, always "yes, and".
- Close by naming one meeting where you will use "yes, and".
Facilitator tips
- Keep it light; laughter is the point.
- A professional improv coach can run a longer workshop.
Variations
- Expert interview: one person is an "expert" on a made-up topic and answers the room's questions.
Accessibility
Speaking in front of others can be stressful: start in pairs, and let people pass in group rounds.
