Something Old Something New
Something Old Something New is a scene exercise that uses the wedding tradition as a structural prompt. Performers must incorporate elements that are old, new, borrowed, and blue into their improvised scene. The constraints provide a creative framework that guides choices without restricting them, teaching players to find freedom within structure.
Worth Reading
See all books →The Triangle of the Scene
A Simple, Practical, Powerful Method for Approaching Improvisation
Paul Vaillancourt
Improvising Cinema
Gilles Mouëllic
Group Improvisation
The Manual of Ensemble Improv Games
Peter Campbell Gwinn; Charna Halpern
Acting Through Improv
Improv Through Theatresports
Lynda Belt; Rebecca Stockley
Pirate Robot Ninja
An Improv Fable
Billy Merritt; Will Hines
The Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual
Matt Besser; Ian Roberts; Matt Walsh
Related Exercises
Positive Scene Challenge
Positive Scene Challenge is an exercise in which performers must play an entire scene without conflict, negativity, or problems to solve. The constraint forces players to find sources of engagement beyond argument and teaches that scenes can be compelling through shared joy, discovery, and mutual support.
Simple Continuation
Simple Continuation is a scene exercise in which a facilitator starts a scene with a basic premise and the performers must continue it without adding unnecessary complications, practicing the discipline of building on what exists rather than introducing new elements. The exercise teaches restraint and the value of following an idea to its natural conclusion.
Three Line Environment
Three Line Environment is a scene exercise in which performers must establish a complete physical environment using only three descriptive lines of dialogue or three physical actions. The constraint teaches economy of expression and the power of specific, well-chosen details to create a vivid shared space.
Shared Holiday
Shared Holiday is a scene exercise in which performers play characters experiencing a holiday or special occasion together, using the emotional weight of the event to drive the drama. The shared context provides built-in stakes and expectations that scenes can conform to or subvert. The exercise teaches players to use cultural rituals as rich launching pads for character work.
Three Line Scenes
Three Line Scenes is a scene exercise in which pairs perform complete micro-scenes using only three lines of dialogue. The constraint forces players to make every word count and teaches that a relationship, conflict, and resolution can all be communicated with remarkable brevity. The exercise is a core training tool for efficient scene work.
Premise Lawyer
Premise Lawyer is a scene exercise in which one performer acts as an advocate for the scene's central premise, arguing for its logic and defending its reality whenever it is challenged or abandoned. The exercise teaches players to commit fully to established premises and resist the temptation to bail out when an idea feels risky.
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). Something Old Something New. Retrieved March 17, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/exercises/something-old-something-new
The Improv Archive. "Something Old Something New." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/exercises/something-old-something-new.
The Improv Archive. "Something Old Something New." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/exercises/something-old-something-new. Accessed March 17, 2026.
The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.