Scene Prompt: The Truth

Scene Prompt:

Build a scene based on the following quote, without ever saying the quote:

Even when our words lie our spirits tell the truth. 

Scene Prompt: Forgiveness

Build a scene inspired by this quote:

If forgiveness was easy we would never hesitate to forgive.

Key questions include:

• What's the conflict?
• What do your characters want?
• Where are you?

No need to overcomplicate the scene. Simply supply a need for forgiveness and the obstacle that makes it hard to forgive.

-- doug smith

Scene Prompt: One Day

Improv Level: Advanced

I'm currently writing this on Google's Blogger platform and it has the interesting feature of allowing you to date a post into the past. I'll do that with this post as an example. I'm writing it on July 13, 2025 but I'm going to send it back in time -- not far, just a nudge, say perhaps June, 2025.

You've seen many examples of time travel in movies, plays, and literature so now it's your turn. Create a scene with this premise: You can go back to any one day in your life and re-live or change it. That's the scene: the decision to change it and then what happens next.

Based on what you know about time-travel, what would be the side-effects? What would be the results? What would be funny about any of that?

Now go. Your turn!

-- doug smith

Scene Prompt: Burning Hatred

Build a scene from this quote:

Hatred burns the hater more than the one hated.

-- doug smith

 

Scene Prompt: The Price of Evil

The price of evil is paid long after the evil is forgotten. 

-- doug smith

Scene Prompt: From a Quote

1. Share the quote

2. Build your scene based on the quote.

Here's the quote:

When people play emotional games make sure that they don't cheat.

Scene Prompt: The Auction

An auction for an obscure work of art. Several casual bidders but two who are deadly serious. Each of the two simple MUST win the auction.

And...go.

Scene Prompt: Slipping By

Two characters share the stage with one rule: no talking for at least one minute. 

Oh, and no pantomime! They may move actually objects. They may move each other. They may pace, stare, and show that they care, but no talking for at least one minute. 

Acting is more than words. Improv is far more than comedy. 

Poetry: Line by Line

Improv Prompt

Four characters take the stage. The first three have the task of creating a new line of poetry to add to the accumulating lines of poetry until a logical or satisfying conclusion is reached. Make no attempt to make this funny.

The fourth person, having heard the first three lines, creates a two line chorus. They will then repeat this chorus each round.

"Why not make it funny?"

"It might BE funny. The guideline though is to make no ATTEMPT to make it funny. The harder you try NOT to make it funny, the greater potential it has."

-- doug smith

Scene Prompt: In the Basement

 

You wake up on the floor of a strange basement. You see two doors. Behind one door you hear strange noises. Behind the other door you can see a person or body of a person on the floor.

Go.

Scene Prompt: Versa Vice

Scene Prompt:

Six adults must fit into a car better suited for fewer, smaller people. Your mission: sell the car to the world's most reluctant world leader.

Scene Prompt: Your Sister...

Start your improv scene or writing session with this prompt:

Your sister told me I'd find you here.

-- doug smith

 

Scene Prompt: No need?

Start your improv scene (or your writing session) with this prompt:

There's no need to eat everything on the menu.

--- doug smith

Scene Starter: Same Room

Scene starter for two or more people:

Sometimes I look at you and wonder what you're doing in the same room with me...


Bonus:
No dialogue for the first 30 seconds.

Scene Starter: Nine Lives

Improv Activity - Scene Starter:

Create a scene where one of the characters has nine lives, but you do not know who at first. Only one character, though, can actually have nine lives. Without denying any offers, make the scene work.


-- doug smith

Scene Starter: Lost Object

You put something where you knew it would be. Now you don't know where that is.

And...go.

Scene Prompt: Many Balconies

Creativity Generator: Picture Scene Prompt

1. Display the picture
2. Start the scene

You can also use this as a Picture This Prompt:

1. Display the picture
2. Write for two minutes inspired by the picture

-- doug smith

Scene Prompt: Lower Level Goal Achievement