Walk On In
Goal
- connect to your body for information, movement, feelings, responsiveness
- notice how strong our story-making brains are and how instinctually we understand
- discover how much information can happen in silence and in just bodies
Instructions
The play will proceed with one player making a movement and stopping. Then the other player takes a beat and makes a single physical movement. No big reactions or acting, just feel how the change in physicality makes you feel and respond.
This activity will happen in silence.
Player 1 - Walks on stage and stands neutrally. They say nothing. They can or can not look at the other person. Be in your body, feel how you're feeling.
Player 2 waits a beat and enters and stand as close as they want to be to Player 1.
Player 1 feels ... How does what Player 2 did make you feel? Player 1 takes a beat and then respond by moving closer or further away from Player 2.
Now it is Player 2's turn to take a beat and they respond with their body.
Continue taking turns until it feels over or the instructor ends the scene (~2 minutes)
Coaching
You are enough. Your movement of your body is enough. Don't try to be interesting, safe, or like-able in this exercise.
Connect to breath, presence. Allow the next moment to emerge
Take emotions and expression out of your face and drop it into your body. Allow your body to lead the scene and your feelings, thoughts, and experience to follow. Respond and allow yourself to be surprised.
Background
Shared with me by Fred Brown of Ithaca Improv. Not sure where he got it from.
Author
I help teams connect, collaborate, and perform at their best in both virtual and in-person environments. As an executive and leadership coach, I design highly engaging experiences where people can think together, navigate challenges, and strengthen the way they work. With a background in leadership coaching, facilitation, and applied improvisation, I create interactive retreats, conferences, and networking events that energize participants and create lasting impact. My work creates the conditions for psychological safety, honest communication, and deep collaboration, allowing teams to build trust, navigate challenges, and achieve meaningful results together. I am deeply committed to mission-driven organizations. As a board member of the International Applied Improvisation Network, I partner with nonprofit and social justice leaders to help their teams thrive in fast-changing environments.
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