Here’s a fast and delightfully silly warmup!
The Basics
Players form a – you guessed it – circle. One player begins moving the imaginary car around by turning to either side and saying Vroom. The car continues speeding around the circle, being passed (with strong eye contact) from one player to the next in sequence with the following rules:
If the next player elects to keep the car moving in the same direction, then they too make the titular Vroom sound. This should be the standard choice in the game.
If the next player wants to reverse the car’s direction, they make a dramatic screeching sound (as if the car is slamming on its brakes) before sending a Vroom back to the player who just sent it to them.
On occasion, the current player can elect to introduce an “oil slick” with a suitable hand gesture, which, in turn, skips the next player in the circle before the Vrooms continue. This phrase can be followed with a “whee” sound by the relevant player (or the whole group, if you like, with everyone quickly turning around).
Example
Player A: (to B) “Vroom.”
Player B: (to C) “Vroom.”
Player C: (to D) “Vroom…”
The Focus
Building and sharing energy, focus, and unabashed accepting.
Traps and Tips
1.) Drive. I’ve noted above that the Vroom should generally be the default choice. It’s difficult for the momentum to build if every second or third choice breaks a routine that hasn’t really been established in any meaningful way. The game reminds players of the power of the obvious, and here, the obvious choice is that of your previous improviser.
2.) Build. In embracing the simple core of the game, the potential for wonderfully reckless speeding presents itself. Look to increase the tempo of each tag so that the car metaphorically races wildly around the circle. By committing to this joyful exchange, you also increase the effectiveness and delight of each unanticipated…
3.) Brake. Sure, the warmup can and should be largely an embodiment of collective fun, but there can also be a value in exploring timing, suspense, and surprise. After all, a good routine literally invites disruption. When the variants are introduced sparingly, knowingly, and, dare I say, even expertly, the exercise can become oddly – even disproportionately – exciting.
In performance
While I’ve teased out some potentially more robust gifts – as one would expect in a Game Library committed to building improv skills and confidence – don’t overlook the elegance of this quick warmup that invites us all just to play cars again!
You can find lots of other improv and group warm-ups here.
Cheers, David Charles.
www.improvdr.com
Join my Facebook group here.
Photo Credit: Olivia Skvarenina
© 2025 David Charles/ImprovDr
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