Freebie: Dating Game Show Improv Quirks

2/11/2018

Valentine's Day is almost here. What can you do in your theater class? How about take a break from projects and performances and instead play improv? A favorite comedy improv game in my class is the dating game show. There are a number of names this game goes by (I've seen it at improv clubs and on Whose Line Is It Anyway?) but the rules are really simple either way.

One person is a contestant looking for love. Three players are their potential dates, whom they must ask questions such as "Where would we go on a night out?" or "What is your pet peeve?" to decide whom they would like to date. The catch is that the dates have all drawn a weird quirk slip from the hat and while the contestant was out of the room, shared them with the class (if you have any intentional blabber-mouths or kids with exceptionalities that might not understand why they can't shout it out, you can skip the sharing).

The dates must respond in character for their quirk, and the game ends when the contestant correctly guesses the quirks OR when you save them from themselves and end it or give hints.

I've attached a page of prompts I've used-up in my own classroom to get you started. Happy Valentine's Day!