If you have an aspiring young actor at home, sometimes it’s not easy knowing where to find the best theater games to play, acting lines to practice, and resources for them! Sure, there appear to be a large number of websites and drama books, but how do you know what is really going to work? It seems that you’ve waded through so many, and the material is either too advanced for them, or not fun enough…what to do?
As a drama teacher for close to twenty years, I know you have to consider a few things.
What to Consider Before Choosing an Acting Game
First: is the material appropriate? Many kids that act are pursuing drama in a school setting, and certain subject matter would simply not work. I know by experience that some schools can be more strict than others as to what they deem appropriate.
Second: is this material that is fun and relevant for the actor themselves? Just because the teacher or parent teaching drama may think the material is “kid appropriate” does not always mean the young actor is having fun with the acting lines or theater games you have found!
Lastly: is this material that is easy enough to memorize, if need be? Are there tons of acting lines to practice or is this an accessible project? Let’s say you decide to use these acting games in a showcase or do a small play/reading, either online or in person. With kids so tightly scheduled these days, they need theater games and acting lines that won’t overwhelm them. And that don’t seem like a chore….for you OR them!
Below are some ideas for you as far as acting lines and theater games you can practice with your young actor to build their confidence on stage! All of these have been young actor tested and approved. In fact, many of these theater games are requested by my acting students to be played again and again!
Introductions with a Twist
This game is the shortest, the simplest, but can be an excellent challenge for an actor of any age! Here’s how it works: your actors simply introduce themselves by name, but in a way you, the director, calls out! For example, you will have the actor say their name as if they’re in a hurry, angry, freezing cold, annoyed, etc. You can certainly get more creative with basic acting games by giving them other basic lines, such as “good morning!”, or “ what’s for dinner”.
This game allows theater kids to involve voice, face, and action with one simple acting line or two!
World’s Worst
This game is an improvisational comedy game that has always been a HUGE hit with my actors of all ages, including the kids who are just starting out! I love this one because it encourages the more shy actors to push themselves a bit.
Here’s how you play it: the director will call out a name of an occupation to the actors, but here’s the thing..they are the “world’s worst!”. For example, “world’s worst baker”, “world’s worst librarian”, and one that I always laugh hard at with my actors: “world’s worst pizza delivery person”. The actors , when they feel inspired, will take turns acting out their interpretation, improvising lines, facial expression, and delivery. Watch your young actors really blossom with this one- and don’t be surprised if you end up laughing quite a bit, too!
Throw Your Face
Alright, so there may not be any acting lines in this fun theater game for kids, BUT it’s still an outstanding exercise in expression! This game is best played in a group for when you have more performers involved. Here’s how you play: one actor starts it off by covering their face, “molding” an expression, uncovering it and revealing their facial expression, and then calling out the name of a fellow actor so that they “catch” it.
When they “catch” it, that means they copy the expression they were given, then THEY mold a new face, and throw it to yet another actor. This acting game emphasizes that there is a way to say so much without actually saying a single word! This has been another huge hit with my students. Don’t worry if you don’t have a big group, though: you can continue to throw faces back and forth with just one actor if that is all who you are working with!
Fortunately/Unfortunately
This is a classic story telling game. Are you having trouble finding practice scripts for your young actors that get them excited? Well, have them create their own story! Here’s how to play this hilariously fun theater game: an actor starts out the story by a line beginning with “fortunately”, such as “ fortunately, my math teacher forgot to give us homework!”.
The next actor has to continue the story with an UNFORTUNATELY line, like, “ unfortunately, she remembered the next day and doubled it!”. This acting game encourages kids to think on their feet and get descriptive and creative. As a teacher, I love hearing some of the ridiculous stories my students come up with together!
Dramatic Readings
As mentioned previously, sometimes it is not an easy task to find acting lines to practice, scripts to learn, or skits that kids actually have fun with. I get it! I have one final suggestion for you and your actors as to lines to practice, and it’s amazing what this particular game/activity can do to boost confidence as far as providing serious stage presence.
Here’s how you do this one: start by selecting a book of simple children’s nursery rhymes.
Like in the first exercise, you the director can start by suggesting a mood or a character type, such as “read ‘Hickory, Dickory Dock’ like you’re a toddler throwing a tantrum”. Or better yet, have your actors surprise you by choosing their own characters and methods of delivery!
My hope is that you’ll find these acting games and line practicing suggestions great fun as well as very useful for your actors. One final note: all of these games can be adapted and customized for any number of actors, any age, and yes, any setting! Please feel free as a creative type to make these games your own in some way. In fact, it’s best you do! Happy acting, and best of luck!
Molly McLinden