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Editorials

5 Classic Theatre Warm Ups and How To

A Quick Guide for Performers and Theatre Students

by Theatre Haus April 10, 2023
by Theatre Haus April 10, 2023 0 comment
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Whether you’re an experienced actor or just starting out, theatre warm ups are an essential part of preparing for a performance. They help to loosen up the body, improve concentration, and create a sense of ensemble among the cast. Here are 5 classic theatre warm ups that are still popular today:

1. Zip, Zap, Zop

Zip, Zap, Zop is a classic improvisation game that helps actors to focus on listening and responding to their scene partners. Here’s how to play:

  • Standing in a circle, one person starts by pointing to someone else and saying “zip.”
  • The person pointed to must then point to someone else and say “zap,” and the third person points to someone else and says “zop.”
  • The game continues with each person pointing to someone else in the circle and saying one of the three words.

2. Tongue Twisters

Tongue twisters are a great way to warm up your voice and improve your diction. Some classic tongue twisters include:

  • She sells seashells by the seashore.
  • Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
  • How much wood would a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

3. Mirror Exercise

The Mirror Exercise is a classic physical warm up that helps actors to focus on their movements and develop a sense of ensemble. Here’s how to play:

  • Standing in pairs facing each other, one person leads while the other person mirrors their movements exactly.
  • The leader can then switch roles with their partner, and the game continues.

4. The Yes Game

The Yes Game is a classic improvisation game that helps actors to be more open to new ideas and build on each other’s creativity. Here’s how to play:

  • Standing in a circle, one person starts by making a simple statement, such as “I’m going to the store.”
  • The person next to them then responds with “Yes, and…” and adds a new detail to the statement.
  • The game continues with each person building on the statement made by the person before them.

5. Group Counting

Group Counting is a simple warm up that helps actors to develop a sense of ensemble and focus. Here’s how to play:

  • Standing in a circle, the group begins to count together, each person saying one number.
  • If two people say the same number at the same time, the group starts again from one.

Conclusion

Theatre warm ups are an important part of preparing for any performance. By incorporating these classic exercises into your warm up routine, you can improve your focus, concentration, and ensemble skills. So next time you’re getting ready to perform, try out these classic warm ups and see how they can help you to give your best performance yet.

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Theatre Haus is a digital platform for all things theatre in Southeast Queensland. We publish news, events, auditions, editorials and reviews for our local theatrical community. To join our team, email us at [email protected].

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We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, in particular the Turrbal people of our home Meanjin/Brisbane, and their continued custodianship of the land and waters. We are deeply inspired by their traditions of art, performance and storytelling, and give thanks to their elders past and present.

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Theatre Haus
  • Reviews
    • Community Reviews Independent Reviews Professional Reviews All
      Community Reviews

      ‘Les Misérables’ // Toowoomba Choral Society

      September 12, 2023

      Community Reviews

      ‘Phantom of the Opera’ // Ipswich Musical Theatre…

      September 11, 2023

      Community Reviews

      ‘Doghole’ // Vena Cava Productions

      August 15, 2023

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      ‘Proof’ // Tugun Theatre Company

      August 15, 2023

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      September 19, 2023

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      ‘PASHUN’ // TheatrePunk Co.

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      ‘The Penelopiad’ // Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble

      August 31, 2023

      Professional Reviews

      ‘Cirque Bon Bon’ // Jacs Entertainment and Brisbane…

      September 22, 2023

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      ‘The Making of Pinocchio’ // Brisbane Festival, Brisbane…

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      ‘Pacific Mother’ // Sachito Fukumoto

      September 9, 2023

      Professional Reviews

      ‘Unconditional’ // Playlab and Brisbane Festival

      September 6, 2023

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      ‘Cirque Bon Bon’ // Jacs Entertainment and Brisbane…

      September 22, 2023

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      ‘The Making of Pinocchio’ // Brisbane Festival, Brisbane…

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