Transcript from what I recorded on my phone tonight:

Let’s talk about some “classic” improv exercises. Maybe you’ve done them, maybe you haven’t. Doesn’t matter. What matters is what you get out of them right now, in this room.

Mirror Exercise

Ok, please pair up. One leads, the other mirrors. You move slow, you pay attention, you try to be an exact reflection.

Why do we do this? It’s not about looking cool or pulling off some fancy Cirque du Soleil routine. It’s about non-verbal listening. It’s about tuning in so hard to your partner that you can’t help but connect. You start to realize how much of a scene is about what’s not being said. You build trust, you build focus, and you get out of your head for a second.

Object Exercise

Let's get into a circle. Someone is going to mime an object - let’s say a bowling ball. Now you take it, but now it’s a bird, or a brick, or a feather.

Why do we do this? Because object work is real work. You’re making something out of nothing, and you’re making it clear enough that everyone else can see it, too. It’s about creativity, yes, but also about communicating ideas without words. If you can make a roomful of people believe you’re holding a live octopus, you can make them believe anything.

Last Word First Word

Ok, for this one you start your line with the last word your partner just said. We'll also do a version where you toss out the first word that pops into your head based on the last one you heard in a bit here.

Why do we do this one? Because improv isn’t about waiting for your turn to talk. It’s about listening - really listening - and responding in the moment. These games force you to pay attention, to let go of your agenda, and to trust that something interesting will happen if you just stay present.

We're Done! Ending Circle

So yeah, some of these exercises might feel basic, or even a little weird. But that’s the point. They build the muscles you need when the stakes are higher. They’re the “wax on, wax off” of improv - boring until you realize you’re suddenly blocking a punch without thinking about it. Don’t sleepwalk through them. Use them. That’s where the real growth happens.