A group of young people playing the drama game "Group Mind"

GROUP MIND

CURTAINS UP ACTING STUDIO

GROUP MIND: A DRAMA GAME FOR KIDS
Developing Team Focus

Students move around the stage performing the same rhythmic sound and action until someone changes the pattern—at which point the rest of the group quickly matches the new movement and sound. It’s a great way for young actors to practice teamwork, concentration, and listening skills.

 
 
 

Watch a Demonstration of
the Group Mind Drama Game:

 
Download Printable Instructions

Step-by-Step Instructions

  • With the students spread out in the playing area, ask them to mirror your action. Then begin some rhythmic movement and sound, e.g., clapping your hands and saying “Hah” repeatedly.

  • Once the group has picked up this action, ask them to start milling around. Then tell them, “Now, any one of you can take control of the group by changing the action to your own sound and movement–and we’ll all follow.” 

  • Stress that the students must try to be aware of the group as a whole so they can instantly pick up on new actions. Also encourage them to “boldly claim the stage” when they want to change the action–to help the other group members notice when a change happens. 

  • As the game progresses, make sure the students introduce a variety of different volumes, speeds, and energies as they change from one action to the next.

  • Continue the exercise until the group gains a sense of moving and changing as a single body, i.e., until they develop a “group mind.”

MORE TEAM BUILDING DRAMA GAMES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
Body Scenery - Teams of actors work together to represent objects named by a leader—using only their bodies
Freeze Walk - Students walking in a circle attempt to stop, start, and change direction at the same moment without speaking
Machine - Actors work together to create a single machine with mechanical movements and sounds

 
Browse Theater Games Encyclopedia
Curtains Up Creative Dramatics Curriculum
 


© 2023, Friends of the Groom Theater Company

 
 

Curtains Up Curriculum by Friends of the Groom Theater Co. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Curtains Up is a training program designed for young actors sponsored by Friends of the Groom Theater Company.
It is available to the general public for free under the terms of the Creative Commons License above.