I ran into Nancy Lewars the other day. Nancy teaches an improv acting class (short for "improvisational") on Bainbridge Island where I live. Nancy told me about a great improv storytelling game called "A String of Pearls." Here's how you play.
You need at least three people (that's where your friends come in). Imagine an invisible string in front of you. The first person starts by stringing the first pearl--by saying a sentence that begins a story.
Beginning: One day a mouse jumped out of the heating vent.
The second person strings the second pearl--by saying a sentence that will be the middle of the story. The second sentence doesn't have to be related to the first.
Middle: The paper bag filled with marbles flew across the street and under the bus.
The third person strings the third pearl--by saying a sentence that will be the end of the story. The third sentence doesn't have to be related to the first or second.
End: The giraffe drove the stolen car to the police station.
So far we have three pearls on our string:
Beginning: One day a mouse jumped out of the heating vent.
Middle: The paper bag filled with marbles flew across the street and under the bus.
End: The giraffe drove the stolen car to the police station.
Now the three people (or more) string the rest of the pearls by filling in the story. How will you create a story by connecting a mouse, a paper bag filled with marbles, and a giraffe driving a stolen car?
Have fun stringing your own pearls!
