Drama Game-Continuing Emotions

This drama warm-up is part of a collection of 40 classic drama games found on Drama Notebook.

Drama Notebook has a long list of emotions in the Lists section!
Start a neutral scene with two players. For example, a customer goes into a store to return something. Have the two players act it out straight. Then, have them do it again, using emotion suggestions from the audience. For example: in the second round of play, the customer is fearful and the clerk is jubilant. (They can each have a different emotion, or both the same.) Coach students to play the emotion without stating it outright. For another twist, try giving students the emotions secretly and having them try to ‘read’ the other person. After the scene, ask audience players if they could name each actors’ emotion.

Emotion Examples

• Fearful
• Bored
• Excited
• Depressed
• Anxious
• Hysterical

Situation Examples

• Doctor examining a patient
• Teacher scolding a student
• Talk show host interviewing celebrity
• Mechanic delivering bad news to car owner
• Detective interviewing suspect

–Members of Drama Notebook have instant access to a long list of emotions that are easily printed out and cut apart, making it easy for teachers to focus on the work the students are doing rather than brainstorming new emotions. They also have access to hundreds of original improvisation and scene starters.