Write your first lines for the improv exercise "yes and"
Write first lines for the 'Yes, and' improv exercise and perform short scenes with a partner to practice accepting and building on ideas.
Step-by-step guide to write your first lines for the improv exercise 'Yes, and'
Step 1
Find a partner and a quiet space where you can play and be heard.
Step 2
Set your timer to 1 minute for a quick warm-up.
Step 3
Spend that 1 minute stretching and taking deep breaths together to get ready.
Step 4
Choose three feelings or places to inspire your lines (for example: surprised kitchen outer space).
Step 5
Write four short first-line ideas for each chosen feeling or place on your paper.
Step 6
Number your lines and pick one number to start your first short scene.
Step 7
Have Partner 1 say the chosen first line out loud with clear voice and energy.
Step 8
Have Partner 2 respond with the words "Yes, and..." and add one new detail to build the idea.
Step 9
Set the timer to 60 seconds for a short scene.
Step 10
Continue the scene for the full 60 seconds using "Yes, and..." for every reply.
Step 11
Swap roles so Partner 2 now starts and repeat the 60-second scene with a different starting line.
Step 12
Rehearse a 60-second scene using a small prop from the room to make the story more fun.
Step 13
Pick your favorite two short scenes and run each one more time to polish how you build ideas.
Step 14
Write one short note next to each chosen starting line saying why it worked or how you improved it.
Step 15
Share your finished first lines and a short description of your performed scenes on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have a timer, paper, or a quiet space?
Use a phone or kitchen timer for timing, write your four short first-line ideas on a tablet, sticky notes, or the back of an envelope instead of paper, and if a quiet space isn't available mark a corner as your 'stage' and use headphones or gentle signals to minimize interruptions.
Our 'Yes, and...' replies keep getting stuck or repetitive — how can we fix that?
If you get stuck, pause between rounds to pick a different numbered starting line from the four you wrote for each feeling/place and force a new detail by incorporating the small prop step during the 60-second scene.
How can we adapt this activity for younger or older kids?
For younger kids, shorten warm-ups and reduce scene time to 20–30 seconds and use picture prompts instead of writing four lines, while older kids can extend scenes to 90 seconds, choose more specific feelings/places, and write detailed improvement notes next to their chosen starting lines.
How can we improve or personalize the scenes after we've practiced them?
To enhance the activity, pick your favorite two short scenes, run each again with a different small prop or simple costume, record the performances to compare the improvements you wrote next to the starting lines, and then share the best clip and scene descriptions on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to write your first lines for the improv exercise 'Yes, and'
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Facts about improvisational theatre for kids
🎭 Improvisational theatre traces roots back to 16th-century commedia dell'arte troupes that toured Europe with masked stock characters.
✅ The simple rule "Yes, and" helps performers accept an idea and add to it—making scenes grow together instead of shutting them down.
🎤 The Second City, founded in Chicago in 1959, helped launch famous comedians like Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, and Bill Murray.
🧠 Research suggests improv practice can improve creativity, active listening, and social responsiveness in both kids and adults.
😂 Del Close and others developed long-form improv techniques (like The Harold) that are still taught in improv schools worldwide.
