10 Kindness Icebreaker Questions

Icebreakers are not only great tools to help students get to know each other at the beginning of a new class or the start of a school production; they also help to set the tone for the upcoming time together. So if you’d like to foster an environment of thoughtfulness, compassion, and empathy in your drama classroom, try using these icebreaker questions that are all about kindness.

Use the following questions for full-class introduction or discussion questions, for the traditional “pair up and interview your partner” exercise, as bellwork or welcome questions at the beginning of class, as written journal or exit slip prompts for the end of class, or as playwriting prompts.

If you’re using these questions for an in-person, verbal discussion, you may want to allow some time for students to contemplate and plan their answers before sharing, or even give them these prompts ahead of time. These prompts require a bit more thought and consideration than the typical “What’s an interesting fact about yourself?” icebreaker.

1. You’re casting a show called Kindness: The Musical. What’s the opening number about?

2. What colour or shape do you think kindness would be, and why?

3. What is a small act of kindness someone did for you that you’ve never forgotten, in drama class, in a show, or otherwise?

4. What is a compliment you’ve received that meant a lot to you?

5. How can actors, technicians, and/or stage management show kindness to each other in rehearsal?

6. Think of a character in a book, movie, play, or other media who embodies kindness. What makes you feel that way about them?

7. Think of a character in a book, movie, play, or other media who really needs some kindness. What would you do for them?

8. If there were a superhero whose main power was kindness, what would they be called, and how would their power manifest?

9. What is an act of kindness you’ve done recently (big or small)?

10. Why do you think kindness is important in the drama classroom?

Need even more icebreaker questions? Check out these 20 open-ended, inclusive prompts.