Buddhist Drama - Warming up

A C T I V I T I E S 렁 D R A M A

Warming Up

Even if various people in a group already know each other it can be useful to begin the time together doing a few things to establish the feeling of a unique, collective experience. This is even more important if most don't know each other well or have never met. Even a small amount of shared history creates a degree of familiarity and trust.
• The exercises below have been listed roughly according to the degree of trust needed - easiest to easy.
• Non-physical activities are generally less threatening.
• Chairs take up a lot of room and need to be shifted about as activities change. If the group is comfortable on the floor then this is often best - especially with lots of cushions; they are nice and cuddly and can be shared and can easily become part of an activity.
• If people are to speak they should be regularly encouraged to do so in a clear voice - mumbling is not allowed.
• Group circles are almost always preferable - scattered is next best - lines are only occasionally useful.
• Establishing the standard of going around a group clockwise can often save time in terms of 'whose next.'
• If there is an acknowledged 'leader' - which is easiest - they should not hesitate to pick a person to begin an activity. If that person's discomfort is clear then pick another. A lot of time can be wasted being too sensitive or democratic.
• Ideally an activity is clearly defined at the outset and people can choose not to take part. They shouldn't be made to feel obliged to do anything not clear in the initial definition.

NAMES

Everybody has a name and has usually carried it for a good few years. They are a significant part of identity. Sharing one's name is no big deal but when it is done as part of a structured (light-hearted) process it can take on deeper meaning and enhance the relationship with those who get to know it.
name circle - if the group size allows it is best to sit or stand in a circle. Each person says their name out loud in turn, going around the circle. This can be added to by the group echoing that name - twice? : 'John' - echo: JOHN - JOHN.
ball or cushion - this can be tried either after the above or straight away. The idea is that names must be remembered. In a circle, person 'A' throws or rolls a ball or cushion to person B. When A passes it they must call B's name out loud as they throw it. If they get it wrong - or just don't know the name - then B throws it back to A calling out their ('B') name. A then throws it back to B with the correct name. If it is right then B throws it to C calling out their name.
with action - In a circle, going around in order. Each person goes into the centre of the circle and performs an action while calling out their name which (both the action and/or the name) can be echoed by the group. The action can be a silly walk, a cartwheel, walk in and then jump high, or just walk in say the name and walk out - boring, but allowable.

LINE UP

The leader tells the group that they have to line up - form a circle - according to various criteria. Start with something easy like height. Try things like hair length / colour, age, first name initial (having done names?), birth month, etc. Less visible things, like age, have to be shared verbally and the line is then readjusted and tested for accuracy.
This activity is good as it gets people physically moving about without initially having to say anything or make contact in any way. The small bits of information that are shared are quite personal but, like a name, not particularly 'sensitive'. Things like 'mother's age' would 'expose' more personal data - is she even alive?

COME HERE

Another circle. It can be a bit complicated getting the movement flowing but eye contact is the cue with invitation as the response.
Person A starts and must make eye contact with any other person (B) in the circle. On eye contact, person B then says to A - 'come here' and A then procedes to where B is standing with a view to taking B's spot. This means that B is technically homeless and must make eye contact with any other person (C) in the circle. Person C then says 'come here' and B does so. If B fails to make contact or C fails to make the invitation before A arrives then B is 'out' and A must restart by seeking a new contact and invitation.

SNAKE

A very simple activity. Form a straight line - one behind the other. At least one hand on the shoulder of the person in front. With eyes closed (blindfolded?) the leader takes a walk about the space available. It can be in a circle, in and out of various rooms, outside if weather permits. The experience can be shared very briefly or people can be encouraged to talk if they wish to. An extension of this is the 'Blind Trail' in Just Fun.

ZOOM

This gets a bit of energy going and raises the concentration level - and it is great fun.
Standing in a circle.
The 'zoom' is rather wild, verbally physical creature and we all have one or two lurking about inside. Some are a little shy and need a bit of waking up and training. When two zooms meet head on they immediately turn around and run the other way. A single zoom just wakes up the next zoom around the circle.
One person is selected by the leader to send one around the circle. ZOOM!!!
Zooms are not passed around - they are sent; from person to person. We use all of our bodies to send a zoom to the person next to us otherwise their zoom might not wake up.
ZOOM ! is sort of how they travel.
Once all the zooms are awake the leader might put one of theirs into the circle - going in the opposite direction. When two zooms meet they are both reversed. There is as much room for more zooms as there is energy and concentration and capacity for laughter.

TOWERS

Sensitivity and cooperation.
Give each group of 5 or 6 about 50 paper cups. They have to stack them - without talking - with no more than 9 touching the floor. They must be loose, not inside each other.
Set a time limit.
The answer is to start with a circle as the base.

KNEE SITTING

Quite silly but creates some body contact.
Form a circle - all facing around the same direction.
Sit on the knee of the person behind you.
All fall over - try it again. Walk the circle around! All fall over - try it again.

CHARACTERS
meet

Each person has to identify 2 (or 3?) aspects of their emotional character.
The whole group then practices taking their character for a walk - focussing on what they are doing, not what the others are doing. How does Ms. Grumpy move her arms? Mr. Angry has a loose head! etc.
The characters are then given a walk-by on the 'stage'. It can be left at this or the group can try guessing what 'who' each character was.
There are a few variations and extensions of this idea in Discovery.

YES LET'S

Wild and creative - perpetual affirmation.
Anyone in the group calls out something that they think the whole group should do. 'Let's all run to the other end of the room!'
Everyone affirms that offering by shouting 'YES LET's'
The whole group then does what was suggested.
Let's all be slimy lizards! Let's all be robots! Let's all pick up the teacher! Let's all ... !
'YES LET's'