Level 1 Games

Level 1 Games

ENERGY CIRCLE GAMES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWPiYksnKLI

Energy circle games serve as foundational theater exercises where participants pass various forms of energy - vocal sounds, claps, gestures, or eye contact - around a circle. Standing in this circular formation creates equality among players while developing crucial performance skills: group focus, active listening, physical awareness, and ensemble timing. These games naturally progress from simple exchanges to complex variations, allowing groups to build concentration and connection while maintaining a shared group rhythm. The following are essentially variations on this idea.

PASS THE CLAP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egee4Atnysk

This foundational theater game teaches the essential performance skills of timing, focus, and ensemble awareness through a deceptively simple action - passing a clap around a circle. Players stand in a circle and create a continuous flow of energy by passing a clap from person to person through direct eye contact and precise timing. The game’s power lies in its ability to transform a basic action into a complex exercise in group dynamics and non-verbal communication.

Core Mechanics: The clap begins with one person making clear eye contact with another player across or beside them in the circle. Once eye contact is established, both players must clap at exactly the same moment, creating the illusion that a single clap is “jumping” between them. The receiving player then establishes eye contact with someone new to pass the clap onward. The goal is to maintain an unbroken flow of energy while developing increasingly precise timing.

Skill Development: As players master the basic passing of the clap, the exercise naturally develops crucial performance skills:

• Eye contact becomes more intentional and sustained

• Timing grows more precise through active listening and observation

• Group awareness expands as players learn to read subtle physical cues

• Focus strengthens through the need to maintain continuous attention

• Ensemble connection builds through shared rhythm and energy

Progressive Variations: Once the basic pattern is established, the game can evolve through various challenges:

• Adding multiple claps circulating simultaneously

• Incorporating different sounds or volumes

• Changing the rhythm or speed

• Adding emotional qualities to the pass

• Including physical movement with the clap

Common Challenges:

• Breaking eye contact too early

• Clapping before true connection is established

• Rushing the rhythm out of nervousness

• Losing focus when multiple claps are introduced

• Forgetting to receive before sending

• Defaulting to passing only to nearby players

• Dropping energy during longer sequences

Teaching Tips:

• Begin with a slow, clear rhythm to establish proper technique

• Emphasize that receiving the clap is as active as sending it

• Encourage players to work through mistakes without stopping

• Use rhythm exercises to help develop group timing

• Practice reading preparatory movement to improve precision

• Celebrate moments of perfect synchronization to build confidence

The game succeeds when players begin to feel the invisible threads of connection between them, understanding how individual timing choices affect the entire ensemble’s rhythm and flow. This fundamental exercise often becomes a touchstone that groups return to throughout their development, as it quickly reveals the current level of ensemble connection and focus.

ZIP ZAP ZOP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFU0P6EGXq0

This classic theater game creates a pattern of energy passing through a circle. Players send “Zip” to start, followed by “Zap,” and complete with “Zop.” Each pass requires direct eye contact and a clear pointing gesture. The energy should flow continuously without hesitation. As players master the basic pattern, introduce variations like changing speeds or adding physical movements. The game excels at building ensemble awareness and quick reactions.

Common Challenges:

• Mixing up the word order

• Breaking eye contact too quickly

• Inconsistent energy levels

• Hesitation that breaks flow

• Pointing unclearly or at multiple people

TIP TAP TOP (Or Other Vocal Variations)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2IL-C2ZkXY

Building on Zip Zap Zop’s foundation, this variation uses different consonant sounds while maintaining the same energy-passing principles. The changed sounds help players focus on clear articulation while keeping the familiar structure. The Instructor may also invent a new set of words, or even ask the young artist to create a new set of words. These new versions particularly help with vocal clarity and maintaining focus through pattern changes.

Common Challenges:

• Confusing similar consonant sounds

• Falling back into Zip Zap Zop pattern

• Maintaining vocal clarity at higher speeds

• Keeping energy consistent with new sounds

• Staying focused during pattern changes

SCHWING BONG

Players stand in a circle to pass energy using three distinct moves. The “Schwing” sends energy left or right with a swooping arm motion. A “Bong” blocks and reverses direction with both hands up. The “Zong” sends energy across the circle with a pointing motion. Players must establish eye contact and maintain clear physical gestures throughout. The game builds focus through consistent rhythm and energy exchange.

Common Challenges:

• Losing rhythm when direction changes

• Forgetting to make eye contact before passing

• Unclear physical gestures

• Breaking focus through laughter (especially with newer groups)

• Rushing through movements

HEADS UP HEADS DOWN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGE2PZPqkyU

Players stand in a circle with heads down and eyes closed. When the leader calls “heads up,” players lift their heads and make direct eye contact with one person across the circle. If two players make eye contact with each other, both are eliminated. The game continues until only two players remain. This exercise develops focused eye contact, quick decision-making, and awareness of timing.

Common Challenges:

• Looking at multiple people instead of choosing one

• Moving head/eyes after initial choice

• Breaking focus through laughter

• Hesitating too long when choosing

• Breaking rules by keeping eyes open during “down” phase

• Forgetting to maintain clear eye contact

• Disputing elimination calls

• Rushing head movements

The game teaches performers the power of direct eye contact while building group focus and non-verbal connection. Success requires commitment to clear choices and honest gameplay.

YOU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUgkA8b7tm8

This foundational theater game teaches the essential elements of eye contact, energy passing, and ensemble focus through a beautifully simple structure. Players stand in a circle and create a pattern by making direct eye contact with another player and saying “you” while pointing to them. The power of the game lies in its ability to teach genuine connection and the difference between looking and truly seeing.

The game begins with one player establishing clear eye contact with someone else in the circle. This moment of connection is crucial - the sender must wait until they feel a genuine connection before passing the “you.” Once that connection is established, they point and say “you” with clear intention. The receiving player then finds someone new to connect with, continuing the pattern. A natural rhythm typically emerges as players become comfortable with the sequence.

Teaching Progression: The game develops through several natural phases. Initially, players often rush, pointing before making true eye contact. As they understand the importance of genuine connection, the game slows down, allowing for more authentic exchanges. Eventually, a balanced rhythm develops, neither rushed nor artificially slow, but flowing from genuine group connection.

Advanced Development: Once the basic pattern is solid, variations can include:

• Adding a second or third “you” pattern

• Incorporating different words or sounds

• Including physical movements

• Allowing players to move through the space

• Developing character intentions behind each “you”

Common Challenges:

• Pointing before establishing eye contact

• Breaking eye contact too quickly after passing

• Rushing out of nervousness

• Staying in predictable patterns

• Missing opportunities for genuine connection

• Losing focus during longer sequences

• Forgetting pattern sequence

• Defaulting to nearby players only

The exercise succeeds when players discover how a simple exchange of energy can create profound ensemble connection. It teaches performers that genuine communication begins with truly seeing and being seen by others, a fundamental skill for all theater work.

The game particularly excels at helping young or inexperienced performers overcome self-consciousness around eye contact while teaching more experienced actors to maintain authentic connection even in simple exchanges. It frequently becomes a touchstone exercise that groups return to throughout their development to reestablish ensemble connection and focus.

MOVING YOU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUgkA8b7tm8

This dynamic evolution of “You” adds complexity by allowing players to walk through the space while maintaining the same pattern. Players must now balance spatial awareness with the core elements of eye contact and energy passing. The movement creates natural urgency and requires heightened focus, making the game excellent preparation for blocking rehearsals where actors must maintain character while moving.

Common Challenges:

• Colliding with other players while walking

• Losing track of pattern when positions change

• Dropping energy level during movement

• Forgetting to scan the whole room

• Rushing movements at the expense of clarity

WHERE THE HECK IS CELERY

This sophisticated focus game builds upon the foundational exercise “You,” taking it to a more complex level by introducing multiple simultaneous patterns. Players begin standing in a circle, and several different questions are introduced one at a time, such as “Where’s the celery?” “Has anyone seen the monkey?” and “Who took my book?” Each question creates its own independent pattern that must be maintained while new patterns are added.

The game begins with a single pattern - for example, “Where’s the celery?” The first player makes eye contact with someone across the circle and asks the question. That player must then find someone new to ask, maintaining the exact same phrase. This continues, creating a clear sequence that players must remember. As this pattern establishes itself, a second question is introduced, beginning a new independent pattern that weaves between the first.

The real challenge emerges as multiple patterns circulate simultaneously. Players must remember not only who they receive each question from and pass it to, but also maintain the specific wording and energy of each unique pattern. The questions intentionally involve missing objects or creatures to create a sense of urgency and importance in the searching.

Teaching Progression:

1. Establish first pattern clearly before adding more

2. Add new patterns only when previous ones are solid

3. Help players develop strategies for tracking multiple patterns

4. Encourage specific vocal and physical choices for each question

5. Build speed gradually as patterns become secure

Common Challenges:

• Mixing up different patterns and their recipients

• Dropping patterns when new ones are added

• Losing the specific wording of questions

• Breaking focus when multiple patterns converge

• Forgetting to maintain eye contact during passes

• Rushing delivery out of anxiety

• Losing energy as complexity increases

• Missing opportunities for character development in questions

The exercise teaches crucial performance skills including split focus, pattern recognition, and the ability to maintain multiple narrative threads simultaneously - essential abilities for complex scene work. Success comes not just from keeping the patterns moving, but from maintaining the integrity and urgency of each question while supporting the group’s collective focus.

YES AND…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1CG3VLD02Y

This storytelling game develops narrative skills and teaches the fundamental improv principle of acceptance and building. Players stand in a circle and collaboratively tell a story, with each person adding a new element by starting with “Yes, and…” The game includes a variation where players create an imaginary object in the center, each person adding a new feature or capability. After each addition, the group affirms by saying “yes” together. This practice reinforces positive collaboration and imagination while removing the fear of “wrong” answers.

Common Challenges:

• Blocking others’ ideas instead of building on them

• Adding unrelated elements that derail the story

• Speaking too long during each turn

• Forgetting to start with “Yes, and…”

• Losing the thread of the original story

LEMONADE

This classic theater game combines pantomime, guessing, and physical activity. Beginning with two teams facing each other, one team advances while performing a call-and-response pattern: “Where ya from?” “New York City!” “What’s your trade?” “Lemonade!” “Show us some if you’re not afraid!” The advancing team then performs their chosen occupation through pantomime. Once the occupation is guessed correctly, the game transforms into a chase, with tagged players joining the opposing team. The game teaches physical characterization, quick thinking, and ensemble movement.

Common Challenges:

• Unclear pantomime choices

• Breaking character during the chase

• Forgetting the call-and-response pattern

• Uncontrolled running during chase sequence

• Difficulty transitioning between game phases