RUEN

What Comes Next?

A short-form: one continuous scene where actors periodically stop and ask the audience "What comes next?", immediately enacting the audience's choice. Suitable for training storytelling and the ability to follow audience impulse.

Players

2–8

Difficulty

Beginner

Full description

Setup and Launch

Explain to actors: you're playing one scene from an audience suggestion; when you reach the first completed segment, you stop and ask the audience: "What comes next?" You immediately play the audience's chosen turn.

Get a simple starting suggestion from the audience (location, activity, relationship) and agree on signals: who asks the audience and how the stop is signaled. This reduces chaos and speeds up transitions.

Play

1) Launch the scene

Actors start from the audience suggestion and drive the scene to the first clear micro-result (a deal is closed, a secret is revealed, an object is found, etc.). The trainer watches for the clarity of this "button moment."

2) Stop and question

On the button — a clean stop. One designated voice turns to the audience and clearly asks: "What comes next?" The trainer quickly repeats the chosen option aloud to lock it in for everyone.

3) Playing the choice

Actors immediately accept the suggested turn and make it concrete through action and detail within the already-established reality. The trainer ensures the choice was heard by everyone and doesn't contradict what was already played.

4) Cycle to finish

After the next completed segment — another stop and another question. Play continues until the story reaches a natural conclusion; at a clear climax the trainer gives the "button" for applause.

Key rules

  • Designate one "speaker" for the audience question and signal stops with a clear cue; blurry stops and multiple voices create chaos.

  • Take one specific option from the audience and go with it immediately; avoid "voting" and combining multiple suggestions — this blurs the line.

  • The main risk is rushing: let 3–6 lines/actions play out after the choice before asking "What's next?" so the moment has room to develop.

  • Watch that suggestions build on the established reality rather than canceling it; if the audience stalls, sharpen your question or end the scene on a strong point.

Context

🧺 Cart