Answer questions as an unlikely expert in animal sports while only speaking one word each.
Setup and Format
- 1 host to ask questions
- 2-3 experts, standing shoulder to shoulder, or sitting adjacent to one-another.
The 2-3 players take the stage and closely sit/stand next to each other. Importantly, each of the players should mirror their fellow players' gestures, to give the appearance that they are one person. The host stands facing them (and the audience), and gets prompts from the audience for an animal and a sport unrelated to that animal. The players are an expert in the given animal+sport.
The host introduces the expert and asks them questions, one at a time. The expert provides answers, speaking one word per person to form a 'coherent' response (typically the player closest to the host starts the response). The host continues to ask questions and the expert responds until the host calls an end to the interview.
Learning Objectives
This exercise tests the quickness of response of the players - each must continue to speak one word at a reasonable pace, and in a way that the response is at least syntactically (if not logically) correct. Furthermore, while doing this, the players should be doing their best to mimic the motions of one-another so as to appear as a singular entity.
Another key part is how to handle the inevitable unexpected word, or mistake. The key is to keep going despite the mistake.
Examples
Host: With me here is Dr Francisca Hawkins, foremost expert in Tortoise Darts. Dr, I have one important question for you to start: What does a Tortoise Darter get paid annually?
A: Well,
B: a
C: typical
A: tortoise
B: darter
C: doesn't
A: get
B: paid
C: with
A: currency
B: per
C: hour
etc
Tips
Again: mimicking the movement of your fellow players is visually impressive and easy to do. Typically just mimic the person closest to the host.
Variations
- Use two words per player for an easier challenge.
- Increase the number of experts to make it more of a debate.