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Games Library

The Ponies specialize in short-form improv comedy which centers around creating scenes through the context of games and exercises. Included in our library of games are familiar favorites and original creations. We're always updating our collection too! 

 

Take a look to see how each game is played and check out our guide on how to get your suggestions into the show!  

90 Second Alphabet

90 Second Alphabet

This game game consists of 26 lines of dialogue. Two actors start on stage and the host gets a suggestion for the scene, in addition to a letter to start the dialogue with. For example, if the letter picked was “L” then the next letter would be “M” and so on through the alphabet. Players take turns alternating between the letters. When a player gets to the letter “Z,” then they loop back to the letter “A.”

Action Figures

Action Figures

Two actors begin a scene but during this game, they cannot move unless the other two actors or volunteers move them. The participants moving the actors can move the arms freely, but we suggest light taps with their feet to move the actors legs to have them walk.

Asides

Asides

Two actors begin a scene. Once the scene is established, the host pauses the action and asks either the audience or other actors not included in the scene for a motivation for each of the actors. For example, one actor's motivation might be to reveal that they have a crush while another might be looking to make their fortune. Once each of the actors has a new motivation, they continue the scene as best they can. At any time, the host may pause the action to get a new motivation for each of the actors.

Audience Recap

Audience Recap

Two actors are sent out of the room while the remaining two actors are given a scene to perform in about 5 minutes. Once the scene comes to an end the other two actors return and are given a 10-15 second recap of ALL the action that took place in the scene before. The new actors then attempt to perform the same scene only from the audience’s recap. This may be done just once or it can be done over and over for a larger group game.

Award Ceremony

Award Ceremony

One actor begins a scene alone onstage as the host of an award show. After warming up the crowd and setting the stage for the ceremony, they then present the first award by naming what it is and pointing at another actor to come on stage and receive it. That actor then gives an acceptance speech before moving on to the next award to be given out which the new actor will name and present. This continues until all actors have received an award.

Back in My Day

Back in My Day

Actors line up at the back of the stage and the host then collects suggestions from the audience for occupations, objects, famous people, etc. The host takes a suggestion they like and players step forward one at a time to deliver a punchline or one-liner beginning with, "Back in my day..." They then return to their spot in line when they’re done. For example, if the suggestion was “tour guide,” the format would be “Back in my day, we didn’t have tour guides, we just got lost.” After a few players step up, the host gives a new suggestion.

Because I Said So

Because I Said So

One actor plays a child and stands in the center of the stage. The other two actors play adults, parents, or guardians. The actor in the middle asks a difficult question and then the other two actors take turns trying to answer. After each answer, the center actor says, “Why?” Then the next actor has to answer. Eventually, after a lot of back and forth or when either “adult” actor can’t think of something to say, they respond, “Because I said so!” Then the next question can be asked.

Before or After

Before or After

Two actors begin a scene and continue it for 2-3 minutes. After some time, the host then asks the audience if they’d like to see the scene before or after what they just watched. The actors then create a new scene based on the characters and circumstance they just performed with the new timing suggested by the audience.

Captain's Log

Captain's Log

Actors stand in line on stage with space between them. The three Actors represent three different people in a story with differing points of view, usually with a power differential Often, the Ship Captain, Medical Officer, and Ensign. Actors will tell the story as if they are reporting in their own personal “captain’s log” about what is happening on the ship. Generally cycling through the rotation 2-3 times.

Game note: Can also be played in non-ship/military capacities - as long as the actors would have three differing points of view. Typically an aloof leader, a person "discovering” the real issue, and the person who is left to clean up the mess in the “lower decks”

Catch Phrase

Catch Phrase

Three actors start on stage for this scene game. The host gives two of the actors each one statement and one question, and they can ONLY use these catchphrases during the scene. They are allowed to change the inflection and punctuation, but they can’t change the order of the words. The third player has to try and have a normal scene and may say whatever they want.

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