Random Words
Partners each place 10 dissimilar, unrelated words in a random pattern on paper. Each person composes sentences linking the words into a comprehensive story.
Worth Reading
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Creating Improvised Theatre
Tools, Techniques, and Theories
Mark Jane
Theatrical Improvisation, Consciousness, and Cognition
Clayton D. Drinko
Process: An Improviser's Journey
Mary Scruggs; Michael J. Gellman
Improve
How I Discovered Improv Comedy and Conquered Social Anxiety
Alex Graudins
Improvisation Starters
A Collection of 900 Improvisation Situations for the Theater
Philip Bernardi
Guru
My Days with Del Close
Jeff Griggs
Related Exercises
Random Images
Partners select five unrelated images for each other. Each person creates an original story combining all five images into one coherent tale, building associative thinking skills.
Yes-And Story
The group constructs a story one sentence at a time in a circle, each sentence starting with 'Yes-And.' Practices listening and building without trying to be clever.
Blind Line Offers
Blind Line Offers is a scene exercise in which performers receive random written lines from slips of paper and must incorporate each one seamlessly into the scene as it unfolds. The unexpected text forces players to justify and connect disparate material in real time. The exercise trains adaptability and the skill of making any offer work.
Swedish Story
Participants collaboratively build a story in a circle, each adding a short segment. Encourages spontaneous storytelling and group listening.
What If?
One person improvises a story. Their partner periodically interrupts with What if questions that redirect the narrative. Trains divergent thinking and helps explore self-imposed limits.
Pointing Story
A partner reads a news story aloud, omitting each noun. They point to you to fill in the missing word. You improvise nouns that may or may not fit logically.
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). Random Words. Retrieved March 17, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/exercises/random-words
The Improv Archive. "Random Words." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/exercises/random-words.
The Improv Archive. "Random Words." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/exercises/random-words. Accessed March 17, 2026.
The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.