A Theater Warm-Up with Chairs

Children move among chairs during a theater warm-up exercise.

Objectives: spatial awareness and attention to fellow participants

Age: 6 and up

This is a simple exercise that I use as a warm-up.

Step One

Participants walk around the space, where several chairs have been positioned.

At the signal, everyone must sit down.

The workshop leader gradually removes the chairs. Anyone who cannot find a seat is temporarily eliminated.

Step Two

At the signal, each participant must try to get someone else to sit down.

Step Three

Everyone starts seated on a chair.

At the signal, they must quickly change seats, trying to reach their chosen chair before another participant does.

Step Four

For this stage, it is essential to use solid, stable chairs that are suitable for supporting several participants at the same time.

At the signal, everyone must climb onto a chair.

As the number of chairs is gradually reduced, participants must make room for their fellow participants on the chairs still available.

The aim is to get everyone onto the smallest possible number of chairs.

The game ends as soon as anyone is unable to climb onto a chair.