Wordless Improv Exercise: Flocking

Improvisation is more than just talking. Sometimes as actors, we forget this, but dancers know this down to their toes. There are dance troupes that do extensive improv and it can be incredible to watch.

I’m going to teach you a great and simple improv exercise that mixes the worlds of Theatrical improvisation and dance. It’s called ‘Flocking’.

“Nothing is more revealing than movement.”

— Martha Graham

Flocking: A Group Movement Exercise

Let’s do some movement! It’s freeing, and fun.

This is a wonderful group exercise. You can do it with as few as 2 people, or as many as you can fit in a space.

Watch the video below to learn how to do “Flocking” – my favorite improv movement exercise:

Instructions for Flocking

1. The person in front is the leader
2. All others will follow the movements of the leader
3. Stand in a diamond formation if you have 4 or more people. Stand in a triangle with 3, or one in front and one in back with two. This is simply to make it clear who is the leader. Everyone will face and follow the leader
4. The leader should move slowly enough for all skill levels to follow
5. Explore movement and what it’s like to follow and be followed
6. The leader can then pass the leadership to someone else by slowly and clearly turning to face the new leader. All other players should now be facing the new leader and following until they turn to a new leader.

Tips

• Take the movements at a pace the others can follow
• Each leader should take into account the physical skills and capablilities of the group
• When you are passing the leadership role, make your leadership shifts clear.
• If you have a large group, you don’t need to see the leader in the very front, you can follow the movements anyone else (as they will also be following the same leader)
• Music is optional, but can add a really fun flavor. Just make sure the music doesn’t speed things up past the groups skill level.

I love this quote from Martha Graham, an extrordinary modern dancer and choreographer.

“Dancing is just discovery, discovery, discovery.” 
— Martha Graham

Flocking is Great for all Improv Levels

All improv skill levels can participate in this exercise. Beginners all the way through advanced. In fact, its an exercise that beginners and pros can do together.

Feel free to take one of our Online Improv Courses if you’d like to step up your improv game. We offer Online Improv Classes for beginners as well as intermediates, and advanced improvisers who want to up their game. 

Flocking Synchronizes a Group

One of the great things about this exercise is that you can really synchronize on a non-verbal level. Its fun and freeing.

And besides, words are often over-rated. This phyical synchronization exercise reminds us that there are so many ways to connect other than words. 

Online Improv Training

If you want more improv training, check out our Improv Online Course “Become an Improv Wizard”.  Every single one of the 11 video modules walks you through exercises, tips, and techniques to directly access, activate, and improve your imagination. And you can develop your imagination anytime, anywhere in our Online Improv Course Become an Improv Wizard.

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Lincoln Hoppe is an actor, writer, director, and father of 5. He is the the Co-Founder of Improv Wizards training school and Online Courses and Co-Director of the Society Comedy Troupe.