Purpose
This imaginative acting warm-up helps delegates practise using gesture, expression and physical response. They get to convey the texture, temperature, emotional significance or weight of an object that isn’t really there. It is especially valuable for spontaneous storytelling. It helps building presence, non-verbal storytelling, sensory awareness and emotional connection in roleplay or performance-based training.
Objective
Delegates stand in a circle and pass around imaginary objects using appropriate gestures and emotional responses. The exercise sharpens their ability to act realistically and spontaneously in scenes where props are not available but physical and emotional realism is needed.
What You Need
- A clear open space for delegates to stand in a circle
- A list of object prompts (provided below) for the trainer to choose from
Setup
- Ask delegates to stand in a circle, facing inward with enough space to move arms comfortably.
- Explain the goal: they will be passing invisible objects around the circle using only gesture, movement and body language to convey their character’s reaction to the object.
- As the trainer, you will introduce each imaginary object with a simple phrase: “Here is a [object]…”
- You then mime passing it to the person next to you, who must react appropriately, then pass it on with their own interpretation.
- The object should make its way around the circle and back to you.
- Encourage the group to stay in character, using their face, posture, hands and pacing to communicate the object’s qualities.
- Once an object returns to you, start a new round with a different object, changing its direction, or even starting from the middle to keep the energy fresh.
Tactile & Sensory Round - 5 minutes
- Use objects that invite physical reaction based on temperature, weight, texture or shape.
Sample Prompts
“Here is a beach ball”
“Here is an ice-cold, heavy ball of metal”
“Here is a sharp knife”
“Here is a hot bowl of soup”
“Here is a cube of jelly”
“Here is a lump of sticky plaster”
“Here is a bag of flour with a hole in it”
“Here is a sponge soaked in vinegar”
Emotional & Character Round - 5 minutes
- Use objects that evoke emotional memory, status or backstory. These help delegates tap into imagination and inner emotional life.
Sample Prompts
“Here is a newborn baby”
“Here is a cursed amulet”
“Here is a cat”
“Here is an award you’ve always dreamed of winning”
“Here is your childhood toy, lost for years”
“Here is your ex’s wedding ring”
“Here is the ashes of someone you loved”
“Here is a letter you never sent”
“Here is a love letter from someone unexpected”
- Follow with a discussion.
Timing
Explaining the Exercise: 2 minutes
Activity: 10 minutes
Group Feedback: 5 minutes
Discussion
After the exercise, reflect with the group:
- Which object was easiest to embody? Why?
- Which ones were harder, and what made them harder?
- How did your body naturally change in response to emotional vs sensory objects?
- In what professional settings might this skill be useful?
- How can non-verbal storytelling enhance your communication or leadership?
Variations
- Pass with Intention: Instead of just passing, the delegate must choose a character intention (e.g. reluctance, excitement, fear) while giving the object to the next person.
- Group Creation: Invite delegates to suggest the next object to pass, building engagement.
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