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Drama Warm-Up Games & Activities for the Classroom

Looking for quick, engaging ways to start your drama class?

From simple icebreakers to skill-building exercises, these warm-up games & activities are easy to implement and perfect for any classroom.

Browse 49 warm up articles

10 Super-Quick Warm-Up Games
Games

10 Super-Quick Warm-Up Games

Warm-ups are important to get students into the drama mindset, but sometimes you only have a few moments to spare. When time is at a premium, get your classes started in a jiffy with these 10...
10 Kindness Icebreaker Questions
Teaching Drama

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...
Warm-Up Game: Tableau Mixer
Games

Warm-Up Game: Tableau Mixer

This warm-up game is a variation of the game “Numbered Tableaux”. It’s similar to the camp game “Chicken in the Hen House,” but adjusted to be safer for the drama classroom, and focused on creating...
Warm-Up Exercises for Raising Energy
Classroom Exercise

Warm-Up Exercises for Raising Energy

There are some days when your students are just not feeling their best. They’re tired, they’re dragging, they’re feeling “off.” So how do you combat these low energy times? Try these 10 warm-up...
10 Beanbag Name Game Variations
Teaching Drama

10 Beanbag Name Game Variations

Name games are a great start-of-term activity, especially when you’re working with new students. It’s a fun way to break the ice and for students and teachers alike to learn everyone’s name....
Physical Warm-Up Game: Shadows
Games

Physical Warm-Up Game: Shadows

This is a classic theatre game; you might know it as Shadow Walk, Follow the Leader, or Leader & Follower. It is deceptively simple at first glance: students walking around the room imitating each...
Warm-Up Game: Emojis
Games

Warm-Up Game: Emojis

Japanese artist Shigetaka Kurita invented modern-day emojis in 1999, and they’ve found their place in our world as a unique visual language. Emojis can be used as a way to express ourselves when...
Physical Warm-Up Game: Doodles
Games

Physical Warm-Up Game: Doodles

The following is a quick, simple warm-up game that works for virtually any age range and skill level. All you’ll need is a stack of Post-it notes or a pile of scrap paper, some writing implements,...
Giants, Elves, Wizards, and More
Games

Giants, Elves, Wizards, and More

Giants, Elves, Wizards is a classic game used in drama classes, sports, Scouts, and more. It’s basically a life-sized version of Rock, Paper, Scissors (or “Roshambo” in some areas) with a chasing...
Warm-Up Exercise: Positive Self-Talk
Classroom Exercise

Warm-Up Exercise: Positive Self-Talk

It’s easy for students to downplay their accomplishments, brush off compliments, and outright tear themselves down mentally or verbally. Negative self-talk can seriously affect students’ confidence...
Reverse Icebreakers
Teaching Drama

Reverse Icebreakers

During the first few drama classes, we drama teachers often lean heavily on icebreaker questions to get to know our students better and to get them to talk to each other. However, some students...
One of a Kind: A Getting to Know You Game
Games

One of a Kind: A Getting to Know You Game

Many getting to know you games consist of students sharing interesting facts about themselves and their personalities. In this game, students will discover things they have in common with their...
Getting to Know Your Students: How I Like to Learn
Classroom Management

Getting to Know Your Students: How I Like to Learn

When you’re starting out a new term, it’s always a priority to get to know your drama students, whether they’re new to you or returning for another class. We have lots of resources for fun ways to...
Pick a Card: a Getting to Know You Game
Games

Pick a Card: a Getting to Know You Game

I have yet to meet a student who didn’t cringe (inwardly or outwardly!) at the start of a new semester or the first rehearsal when they hear their teacher say, “Ok, let’s go around the circle and...
Warm-Up: Yes and No Circle
Classroom Exercise

Warm-Up: Yes and No Circle

The following warm-up exercise is simple, but can evoke some powerful feelings and reactions. It’s a great exercise to help students develop their self-awareness and practice consent and boundary...