Acting Exercise - Enhance Your Internal Creativity Through the Walk-Run-Freeze Exercise

Acting exercises are far more than a fun way to engage acting students before delving into scene study or rehearsals. These exercises are cultivated to help stimulate the mind and body with the primary goal of relaxing an actor and building self-confidence. The "Walk-Run-Freeze" exercise is one of my personal favorites, and while it may seem arbitrary to some, it allow actors a unique opportunity to observe how he carries himself, how his feet grace the floor, the movement of his arms and other minute physical details many people are unaware of.

Step 1:

Instruct all actors to begin walking. Don't simply walk in a circle, but seriously wander throughout the room. Instruct actors to not "act," but to walk naturally in a non-patterned manner. Allow the actors to interact with one another; have a good time!

Step 2:

Instruct the students to begin running whenever they feel necessary to do so - when the sensation arises. There is no time limit to begin running. Instruct the actors to mimic their fellow actors in their movements. Have them mimic their peers walking/running gate, arm movements and posture.

Step 3:

Instruct the actors to switch between walking, running and mimicking in an impulsive manner. Do not plan this, allow the actors to make their choices. Encourage erratic behavior.

Step 4:

After, let's say, five minutes of the actors doing this movement - instruct them all to freeze! When you say this, all actors must stand still no matter where their body position is. Instruct the actors to focus on the placement of their body. Where is there center? Where are their hands? How far apart are their feet? Do not allow an actor to move a muscle - they are locked into position. After several minutes resume the walking/running routine.

Step 5:

Once this exercise is completed, ask the actors to write down the observations of their own body made during the exercise. Ask them how their body felt, what was the most comfortable way of moving? Next, instruct the actors to make notes of those around them. How did they perceive their peers' walking? Was is awkward to them?