Improv Game: Party Quirks
Party Quirks is a classic drama / improvisation game that teens love. It's a staple in the drama classroom and great for creative characterisation and improv drama skills.
How to play party quirks
Players:
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A good number of players for this improv game is 4 or 5 (1 host and 3 or 4 guests).
How to play this drama improv game:
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One person plays the party host and a small group of guests are each allocated a secret quirky character.
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I suggest that the audience knows who each of the quirky characters are (they are much more engaged this way) so the host should be sent out of the room while they are allocated.
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Before starting, remind the party host that they are acting as the host of a party, so must continue to carry out 'host duties' as the guests arrive and while they are trying to work out what each guests 'character' is. It will be easier for them to get the quirky characters to engage with them (and figure out who they are) if they are more engaged in host activities (such as getting guests some food, showing them around the house, taking their bags / coat, warning them about the pet dog, engaging in chit chat etc.)
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The quirky guests should also be reminded that they are at a party - this gives them lots to do and they should continue to act out the scene as if they were at a party even when the host is not talking to them.
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The game starts with the host on stage preparing for their guests to arrive. The quirky guests stand to the side.
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When each guest arrives, I like them to either knock on the make believe door or make a doorbell sound.
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Each quirky guest arrives at the party one at a time and interacts with the host and any other guest at the party until the host guesses each character.
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Guests should allow a short time between each other before entering (by knocking or ringing the doorbell) which allows the host to meet and greet the newest character and ask them some questions about themselves. It also gives each guest time to establish themselves.
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The host should try to guess the characters and continue to interact with and discover all of the guests. As the host guesses each quirky character, that character leaves.
Further tips for playing Party Quirks:
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When someone plays an inanimate object (i.e. a mobile phone), the challenge is to humanise the object. Discuss this with the person playing the character before the game starts if necessary - giving them some ideas. For more advanced groups, challenge the students not to be too obvious.
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When classes are new to this game, I like to play the host in the first round. The host role is vital to the smooth running of the game (i.e. the way in which the host continues to interact with the guests as if they were at a party and questions them in such a way as to keep the scene running but also allowing the guests to be their characters and ultimately guessing them). I give the class some quirky character examples then leave them for a few minutes to come up with the characters together. Choose a couple of the more confident students for the first round of quirky guests (but noting that I always try to have a mixture of more confident with less confident students in each playing group).
Party Quirks Character Ideas
Looking for Party Quirks Character Ideas? Check out this Quirky Characters Resource for 139 Party Quirks Characters on cards ready to print and go. These Quirky Characters can be used in so many ways on a set of Drama / Improv Cards you will use over and over again!
