Improvisation Exercise
Bus Ride
- Age range
- 6+
- Duration
- Short (10-20 minutes)
In this exercise, students practice quick character development, adaptability, and interaction with others while embodying different emotions or character traits in a dynamic and fast-changing environment.
Materials needed
- As many chairs as there are students and one for the bus driver.
- Enough space to create the “bus” and a “bus stop”.
Watch how it’s done
Step-by-step guide
Follow the instructions below, or download the printable PDF guide to take into the classroom.
THE SETUP:
a) Space Preparation:
Arrange the classroom or space to mimic the interior of a bus. Ensure there is enough room for the participants to move around comfortably.
b) Roles:
Bus Driver: The teacher or a student will take on this role (if it’s their first time it’s better for a teacher to be the bus driver).
Passengers: The remaining students will be passengers boarding the bus.
INTRODUCTION:
Brief the class on the exercise: each passenger will take on a specific character trait, quirk or an emotion chosen by themselves or assigned by the teacher.
As passengers board the bus, each should adopt a unique character driven by their character trait, quirk or emotion. For example: happy, sad, angry, or quirky traits/quirks (thinking they are a superhero, behaving like a celebrity).
It is best to choose one of the above categories for the entire group, so that they are easier to identify during the exercise.
What is equally important here is for each student to have a reason as to where they are going and how that emphasises their chosen emotion, trait or quirk.
Encourage bold and imaginative choices.
BOARDING THE BUS:
Explain to the group that every time a new passenger enters the bus, everyone who is already on the bus must take on the same character trait or emotion as the new passenger, and they must keep that emotion/trait until a the next passenger enters the bus.
The bus driver must also take on each and every new trait or emotion a passenger brings on.
The bus driver callas out for the first passenger to enter the bus. This student should fully embody their
characteristic/emotion as they board. Continue this process until all passengers have entered the bus.
EXITING THE BUS:
Once everyone has boarded the bus, instruct passengers to leave the bus in the order of their boarding, as they leave they must take on the original emotion or trait they entered with.
As each passenger exits, they should remain in character until they are off the bus and everyone inside the bus should imitate their emotion or trait.