What to Do When You’re Burnt Out on Theatre Games

Theatre games are a vital tool for drama teachers. They help build relationships in the drama classroom, teach important theatre skills, and give students a chance to practice those skills and take risks in a low-stakes way. But let’s be honest: sometimes, as teachers, we get tired of them.

Maybe you’ve played the same games with different groups year after year. Maybe the games feel stale or chaotic. Or maybe you just don’t have the energy to lead yet another round of “Zip Zap Zop.” Burnout happens, but it doesn’t mean you (or your students) have to give up on games. Here are some ways to refresh your practice.

1. Reframe the purpose.

When a game feels stale, remind yourself why you’re using it. Is it about focus? Active listening? Quick thinking? Ensemble building? Shifting your mindset from Ugh, this game again to This game builds X skill can reignite your sense of purpose with the game.

If you’re not already doing so, try adding a short reflection question or exit slip after each game, so it feels less like “just playing” and more like skill-building. For example, you could ask:

• What is one thing you learned from this game?
• How does this game help you become a better actor?
• How can you apply this game to the real world?

2. Put students in charge.

Instead of leading every game yourself, assign students to run them. They can explain the rules, manage the group, run the timer, give prompts, or even invent different game variations. This not only takes the pressure off you, but also empowers students to take ownership of their learning and allows them to practice their leadership skills.

3. Rotate and/or retire.

It’s okay to give yourself permission to retire a game for a while. Just like actors cycle through roles, teachers can cycle through activities. Rotate in new games, revisit old ones later, or give yourself a break from the ones that drain you most. For example, I can’t stand the game Park Bench (it always seems to devolve into students yelling), so I’ve retired it from my roster of theatre games. But other teachers love it. If you are one of those people, send us your tips for success!

Additionally, why not ask students to teach you a drama game they know, or invent an entirely new drama game? You’ll expand your repertoire, and your students will get to bring fresh energy to the lessons and leave their mark in the classroom.

4. Layer skills and challenges into old favourites.

If a game feels tired, tweak it by layering in a skill focus or adding a more challenging variation. This helps the “same old game” feel refreshed. For example:

• Zip Zap Zop, Trapdoor, or Upstage/Downstage – Add a character voice or physicality for each word.
• Word at a Time Story – Instead of single words, assign a word pattern (e.g., Student A can use three words while Student B must use five), or make a rule that students must start each phrase with the next letter in the alphabet.
• Scenes from a Bag – Add new prompts to your bag or have students brainstorm new prompts.

5. Give yourself permission to skip games.

You don’t have to do theatre games every class. If you’re feeling burnt out on theatre games, try something different: a mindfulness exercise, a storytelling circle, a written assignment, a student-led project. The magic of games will be there when you’re ready to return to them.

Final Thoughts

Burnout is a signal, not a failure. If you’re feeling tired of theatre games, you’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything “wrong.” Review, refresh, or even retire your current roster of games, especially if you’ve been using the same ones for long periods of time. Remember: theatre games should energize you as well as your students. If they don’t, it’s time to shake things up.