Speed Dating
Also known as: 1000 Dates
A short game about a string of mini-dates: partners change rapidly on stage, moving from one relationship to another. Useful for training quick thinking, clean entries/exits, and scene editing.
Players
3–8
Difficulty
Beginner
Full description
Setup and Launch
Place two chairs in the center of the stage and prepare a bell. Actors line up at the side in a fast entry queue. Explain: we play a series of very short encounters; each new entry is a new character, a new situation, and a new offer — don't continue past stories.
The bell rule: if either of the two actors on stage wants to change partners or the scene's direction, they ring. On the ring, their partner immediately and silently exits the stage; the ringer stays. Right after this, the next actor quickly enters with a new offer.
Play
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Start. Ask the audience for a suggestion for the first encounter (topic, location, mood) and launch the first two actors. They begin a simple relationship scene, sitting in the chairs or however they like.
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Swap signal. As soon as one actor rings, the second instantly leaves the stage without comment. The trainer watches that the "ring = immediate exit" rule is strictly followed.
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New entry and new offer. The next actor enters immediately, delivers a clear turn (character, status, emotion, objective), and builds an entirely new mini-story with the remaining partner. No continuations or callbacks to the previous round.
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Rhythm and finish. Keep scenes short and energetic. Watch the entry queue, maintain high tempo, and end the game with an overall stop signal or a final bell.
Key rules
The bell commits the partner to exit immediately and silently — any pauses or comments kill the pace.
Each entry — a new character and a new offer; if actors continue the old story, stop and restart the entry.
Watch for "bell abuse": if one actor rings too often, limit the frequency or give them several turns without ringing.
Keep the next participant in the wings, ready to enter — delays in replacing break the rhythm.
Ask for contrast in status, emotion, and objective on each entry, otherwise the mini-scenes blur into monotony.
Context
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