In and out – a dramatic activity

On your marks

Here’s a simple, multipurpose drama game to help introduce or explore your theme. It’s all-inclusive, encourages the use of imagination and is fun.

Get set:

You don’t need anything except a list of your theme words.

Go!

Players stand in a circle facing outwards. The leader says a word, counts 1 2 3, and on 3, all jump to face inwards, making a statue of that word. For example, if you say ‘Book 1 2 3!” people might jump round and be a statue holding a book, or reading a book, or lying on their back with their arms and legs up, actually being a book. Encourage them (especially if it’s a young group) to do their own thing and to be pleased if their statue is different from everyone else’s.

Examples of words to explore themes:

• Theme of growing: tree, seed, banana, water, sun, tiny, huge
• Theme of Christmas: shepherd, angel, cowshed, baby, mum, donkey
• Theme of bread: sandwich, loaf, crust, eating, breaking, sharing, crumb