Bippity Bippity Bop
A classic focusing warm-up where the player in the centre fires commands requiring fast physical and verbal responses. Slow reactions mean a swap to the hot seat.
About
Bippity Bippity Bop is one of the most widely used improv warm-ups for good reason: it is simultaneously a focus exercise, an energy builder and a test of commitment under pressure. The centre player sets the pace, and the group must stay sharp enough to execute the right response or find themselves in the hot seat.
How to Play
- 1
One player stands in the centre. Everyone else forms a circle around them.
- 2
The centre player points at someone and calls 'Bop!' - the pointed-at player must say 'Bop!' before the centre player finishes the word. If they fail, they swap to the centre.
- 3
Alternatively, the centre player calls 'Bippity Bippity Bop!' - in this case, the pointed-at player must stay silent until the full phrase is complete. Any sound they make means they swap.
- 4
Add physical group commands: for example 'Elephant!' means the pointed-at player holds one arm out as a trunk while their two neighbours form big ears with their arms. Any player who does the wrong part swaps to the centre.
- 5
Keep increasing speed. The centre player should move quickly and unpredictably from person to person.
Variations
- -Introduce shapes invented earlier in the session: 'Toaster' - the pointed-at player pops up while neighbours push them down like toast slices. Groups love using their own creations.