Teamwork is at the heart of any successful theatre production or theatre class. From the lead actor to the stage crew, each member of a production must collaborate and communicate effectively to bring a show to life. For young actors, learning to work as part of a team can be one of the most valuable life skills gained through theatre. At the beginning of any class or rehearsal it is important to set expectactions and share with your group that we are a part of a team and no one can do this alone.
Here are some activities and exercises that promote teamwork and collaboration among young performers.
1. Group Storytelling: Building Stories Together
Group storytelling is an excellent way to encourage collaboration and creativity among young actors. Start by having the group stand in a circle. One person begins a story with a single sentence, and each child adds a sentence to continue the narrative. The goal is for the group to create a cohesive story without prior planning.
This exercise promotes active listening, adaptability, and creativity. It teaches kids that every voice matters in the creation of a story and encourages them to build on each other's ideas. It’s a fun way to get everyone involved and ensure that no one dominates the storytelling process.
If you find your group needs a little more guidance you can change this to a game called "Fortunately or Unfortunately" It starts with one performer starting a story and the next person adds a line "Fortunately and they share something good that happens," the next performer says "Unfortunately" and they share soemthing bad that happens.
This gives performers something to work with. I usually give them the guideline to not make the bad thing something that will make the story come to the end. The goal is as a team to create the story together.
You could also have your group perform the story once it is made if you want to get them on their feet working together.
2. The Machine Game: Connecting Through Movement
In this exercise, one child starts by creating a repetitive movement and sound, such as waving their arms while saying "swish." One by one, the other children join in, adding their own unique movements and sounds that connect to the previous actions, forming a "machine." The performers need to be connencted in some way (ie: feet touching)
The Machine Game fosters trust, cooperation, and creative thinking. Kids must observe what others are doing and figure out how their movement fits into the larger machine. It's a great way to break the ice, encourage physical awareness, and demonstrate that everyone contributes to the whole.
Once the whole machine is together I lead them the machine. I make them go as fast as they can, as slow, as loud and quiet. I freeze the machine then point to one performer at a time asking questions about the machine.
What does it do?
How long does it take to do it?
How much does it cost?
What is it called?
You can add as many questions as you like.
Sometimes I also slowly have the machine fall a part.
3. Pass the Object: Improv and Communication
Pass the Object is a simple yet effective game for teaching communication and teamwork. The group sits or stands in a circle, and one person starts by miming an action involving an imaginary object (like throwing a ball). The next person "catches" the imaginary object and changes it into something else, such as juggling or playing a violin.
This exercise helps children practice quick thinking, clear communication, and physical expression. It requires them to pay close attention to each other, adapt quickly to changes, and trust that their teammates will pick up where they leave off.
This game is a great way to have the performers really watch each other and give and take.
4. Mirror Exercise: Building Trust and Empathy
Pair up the children and have one of them act as the "leader" while the other mirrors their movements as closely as possible. After a minute or so, switch roles. To make it more challenging, try mirroring without a designated leader, encouraging both children to move in unison without speaking.
This exercise develops empathy, focus, and non-verbal communication skills. By literally stepping into another's shoes, kids learn to read body language and work together without words, building a foundation of trust and understanding.
If you have a large group you could have everyone freeze and spotlight groups to show the rest of the performers. I have everyone watch the two performers and people have to guess who is the leader.
5. Tableau Creations: Forming Group Pictures
Tableaus are "frozen pictures" created by the actors using only their bodies. Give the group a prompt, such as a scene from nature or an everyday situation, and have them work together to create a living picture. The catch is they must create this image without talking.
Tableau exercises encourage kids to collaborate, negotiate ideas, and make creative choices as a team. It’s an excellent way to explore body language, facial expressions, and the power of stillness in storytelling.
One of my favourite games is tableau wars where I put everyone in even groups (ideally people they may not know) I call out names of the picture they need to create "Frankenstein at the Dentist" I count down from ten and they create the tableau. I pick my favourite and that group gets to pick the next picture!
Things I am looking for in the tableaus are:
Frozen: They need to be still
Focus: Clear spot the audience should be looking at (they need to work together - not everyone can be the star and the focus)
Facial Expressions: Since the performers do not have words the facial expressions needs to be HUGE!
Levels: Everyone shouldn't be standing or sitting but different levels to make it interesting
Fill out the picture: Instead of everyone being a person, they can be objects as well to create the whole picture and scene.
6. Yes, And…: The Foundation of Improv
Improvisation relies heavily on the "Yes, And…" principle, which involves accepting what your partner offers (the "Yes") and adding to it (the "And"). In this exercise, children practice building scenes together by always affirming what their partner says or does and adding their twist.
This exercise emphasizes collaboration and openness, encouraging young actors to be flexible, listen actively, and trust their instincts while supporting their scene partners. It teaches that mistakes are opportunities for creativity and growth, fostering a positive environment where all contributions are valued.
7. Scene Creation in Small Groups: Writing and Performing Together
Divide the children into small groups and give them a prompt to create a short scene. Encourage them to brainstorm, write, and rehearse their scene together. After some time, have each group perform their scene for the rest of the class.
This activity encourages kids to work as a cohesive unit to produce something creative. It develops problem-solving skills, as they must negotiate different ideas, assign roles, and make collaborative decisions to bring their scene to life. It also teaches them the importance of preparation and practice in teamwork. If performers are gettitng stuck or need some guidelines you can give them a head start:
Location
Problem
A line they need to use
Fairytale
8. Feedback Circle: Reflecting Together
After each group activity or performance, gather the children in a circle and encourage them to share what they learned about working as a team. Ask questions like "What was easy about working together?" or "What was challenging?" Encourage constructive feedback and celebrate successes.
Reflection helps kids internalize the lessons they’ve learned about collaboration, communication, and teamwork. It also fosters a sense of community and shared growth, where everyone’s experience is heard and valued.
Why Theatre and Teamwork Matter
Through these fun and engaging activities, young actors learn the value of listening, empathy, adaptability, and trust. These skills are not only essential for a great performance but also for navigating life's many team-based situations—whether in school, sports, or future careers.
By teaching kids to collaborate on stage, we’re helping them become more compassionate, confident, and effective communicators offstage. And that is a win for everyone!
Encouraging teamwork through theatre fosters a creative and supportive environment where young performers can thrive both individually and as part of a group. Whether through improv games, scene creation, or reflection exercises, the journey is always richer when shared together!
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