What Are You Doing?

What Are You Doing?

Age: 7 to adult
Players: Whole Group, Pairs
Time: 10-15 minutes
Tags: #Concentration #Language-Learning #Mime

Quick thinking and action is essential in this funny mime and language game.

Stand in a circle. The first person (A) starts miming an activity, such as eating an apple. The person to their left (B) says “What are you doing?”. A keeps miming and at the same time calls out a different activity. For example, if A is “eating an apple”, they can say “playing the piano”. Then B plays the piano. A stops their action. Now the next person (C) asks B , “What are you doing?”. B keeps playing the piano, but names a different activity, which C must mime. And so it goes on.

There should be no repetition or similar activities. For example if you’re “climbing a ladder” don’t say “climbing the stairs”. Equally, don’t name an activity which looks like the one you’re doing. For example, if you’re cleaning a window, don’t say “waving good-bye” – because it looks similar! Watch the video for more tips.

Director’s Tip

  • Play the fast version with a partner: One partner mimes an activity and the other asks, “What are you doing?”. Then it’s the same as above, but just swopping between the two players.

Age: 7 to adult
Players: Whole Group, Pairs
Time: 10-15 minutes
Tags: #Concentration #Language-Learning #Mime

Quick thinking and action is essential in this funny mime and language game.

Stand in a circle. The first person (A) starts miming an activity, such as eating an apple. The person to their left (B) says “What are you doing?”. A keeps miming and at the same time calls out a different activity. For example, if A is “eating an apple”, they can say “playing the piano”. Then B plays the piano. A stops their action. Now the next person (C) asks B , “What are you doing?”. B keeps playing the piano, but names a different activity, which C must mime. And so it goes on.

There should be no repetition or similar activities. For example if you’re “climbing a ladder” don’t say “climbing the stairs”. Equally, don’t name an activity which looks like the one you’re doing. For example, if you’re cleaning a window, don’t say “waving good-bye” – because it looks similar! Watch the video for more tips.

Director’s Tip

  • Play the fast version with a partner: One partner mimes an activity and the other asks, “What are you doing?”. Then it’s the same as above, but just swopping between the two players.
101 drama games and activities

This game is from: 101 Drama Games and Activities

‘Belongs amongst the top 10 books any director or drama teacher should own.’ – English Touring Opera

A collection of highly effective games and exercises suitable for children, young people and adults.  Includes warm-ups, improvisation, mimeicebreakersgroup dynamicsrehearsalstorytelling and voice exercises so that you can quickly find an appropriate activity.

This game is from:
101 Drama Games and Activities

 

101 drama games and activities

A collection of highly effective games and exercises suitable for children, young people and adults.  Includes warm-ups, mime, improvisation,  icebreakers, group dynamics, rehearsal, storytelling and voice exercises so that you can quickly find an appropriate activity.