Here We Come Group Energizer Theatre Game

Sometimes teachers and other group leaders need new ways to get students energized and loosened up for classes or rehearsals.  The activity below has been around awhile. It is called â€Å"Here We Come!† How You Play 1. Divide students into two groups. Groups may be as large as 10 to 12 students. 2. Teach students the following lines of dialogue: Group 1: â€Å"Here we come.†Group 2: â€Å"Where ya from?†Group 1: â€Å"New York.†Group 2: â€Å"What’s your trade?†Group 1: â€Å"Lemonade.† 3. Explain that Group 1 must discuss and agree upon a â€Å"trade†Ã¢â‚¬â€a profession, job, or activity that they will all mime after they have responded with â€Å"Lemonade.† (Group 2 should not be within earshot of their discussion.) 4. Once Group 1 has chosen its â€Å"trade,† the members of Group 1 line up shoulder-to shoulder on one side of the playing area facing Group 2, also lined up shoulder-to-shoulder on the opposite side of the playing area. 5. Explain that Group 1 will begin the game by delivering the first line in unison (â€Å"Here we come†) and taking one step towards Group 2.  Group 2 delivers the second line (â€Å"Where ya from?†) in unison. 6. Group 1 then delivers the third line in unison (â€Å"New York†) and takes one more step towards Group 2. 7. Group 2 asks, â€Å"What’s your trade?† 8. Group 1 responds with â€Å"Lemonade† and then they begin miming their agreed-upon â€Å"trade.† 9. Group 2 observes and calls out guesses about the group’s â€Å"trade.† Group 1 continues miming until someone guesses correctly. When that happens, Group 1 must run back to their side of the playing area and Group 2 must chase them, trying to tag a member of Group 1. 10. Repeat with Group 2 deciding on a â€Å"trade† to mime and beginning the game with â€Å"Here we come.† 11. You can keep score of how many tags a group makes, but the game works without the element of competition. It’s just fun and it gets students moving and revved. Some Examples of â€Å"Trades† PhotographersFashion ModelsTalk Show HostsPoliticiansManicuristsBallet DancersPre-school TeachersStep DancersCheerleadersWeight LiftersHairdressersWeather Forecasters What Constitutes Success in This Theatre Game? Students must offer and accept ideas quickly. They must work together as an ensemble when they mime their â€Å"trade.† For example, if the group chooses Pre-school teachers, some group members may play the children that the teachers teach. The more precise the mime that the students perform, the more quickly the game will keep moving. Guideline and Tips Remind the members of Group 1 that their goal is to engage in mime – which requires silence. No dialogue, no sound effects, no reactions to the guesses that Group 2 makes until they hear a guess that is correct.Remind the members of Group 2 that when they go to tag a member of Group 1, they need to aim for a shoulder and tag lightly. The tag is not a slap or a slug.If noise level is a concern, you may want to establish a rule of no screaming or shouting during the chase.Requiring the chase to be performed in slow motion is another way to curb noise and lessen the chances of trips, falls, and overly rambunctious activity.