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Intermediate2+ players~10 min

Kick It

A regular improv scene interrupted at any moment by a rap beat. When the caller shouts 'Kick it!' players switch to rapping; 'Word!' brings them back to spoken dialogue - mid-sentence if needed.

Scene WorkCharacterListeningEnergyShort-Form

About

Kick It is a short-form style game that collides ordinary scene work with rap. Two or more players perform a regular spoken scene until the caller shouts 'Kick it!' - a rap beat drops and the players must continue in rhyme from exactly where they left off, even mid-word. The caller can shout 'Word!' at any moment to cut the music and return to dialogue. The game rewards emotional commitment, verbal dexterity and the ability to land a rhyme under pressure while keeping the story moving forward.

How to Play

  1. 1

    Get a scene suggestion from the audience - a relationship, location or opening line works well.

  2. 2

    Two or more players begin a regular spoken scene.

  3. 3

    At any moment the caller shouts 'Kick it!' - the tech immediately starts a rap instrumental and the current speaker continues in rap, picking up from exactly where they left off, including mid-sentence or mid-word.

  4. 4

    Players rap their dialogue, aiming to rhyme, maintain the beat and keep the story advancing.

  5. 5

    The caller shouts 'Word!' - the track cuts instantly and players return to spoken dialogue, again from mid-sentence if needed.

  6. 6

    The caller keeps switching at their discretion, serving the scene's energy and the players' strengths.

Variations

  • -Beatboxer version: a live beatboxer replaces the recorded track, allowing the music to morph organically to match the emotional tone of the scene and react to the players in real time.
  • -Hot seat: more than two players on stage means the caller can point to switch who is rapping mid-section, not just when the spoken/rapped mode changes.

Related games

Kick It | On The Spot