Improv Match with a Referee and Categories

A school version of the improv match that started in Quebec: two teams improvise scenes from a topic and a category (silent, slow motion, mirror), with a referee who keeps time and calls fouls and an audience that votes with cards. Students take on organizing roles and learn to improvise within clear rules.

How to play

1. Form two teams of six actors, one referee, two timekeepers and the rest as the voting audience; explain the categories and fouls (not listening, blocking, speaking in a silent scene) (5 min).
2. The referee draws a topic and a category, gives 20 seconds to prepare and blows the whistle to start a shared two-minute scene (6 min).
3. After each scene, the audience votes with cards in each team's color; points and fouls go on the board (2 min).
4. Play four more scenes with different categories, and halfway through rotate roles so the audience gets to perform (12 min).
5. Wrap-up: the referee explains the fouls called and the group discusses which scene worked best and why (5 min).

Rules

• In scenes with contact, only touch the shoulder, arm or back, and always gently.
• The referee's calls are respected; they can be discussed at the end.
• The audience votes on the scene, not on people, using listening and creativity criteria.
• No topic may make fun of anyone in the class or of any group of people.

Variations

Adaptations

• Hearing impairment: the referee shows the topic and category written on a card as well as using the whistle.
• Stage anxiety: may start as referee or timekeeper and join group scenes later.
• Limited mobility: categories are chosen so they can take part; slow motion and mirror work well seated.

Learning goals

• Improvise physical scenes within set rules and categories.
• Take on refereeing and organizing roles with judgment and respect.
• Evaluate scenes using listening, creativity and clarity criteria.

Equipment for a class of 25

• colored cards: 20
• stopwatch: 2
• whistles: 1

Teacher tip

Prepare a jar with 15 topics and another with 6 categories ahead of time. The referee works better with a pinnie or some visible marker.

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