Virtual Improv Games & Comedy Shows

Also known as improv games, or online improv exercises, online improv games are fun, creative and unpredictable ways to develop stage presence, improve communication, and build stronger teams. Whether we work with individuals or teams, we most frequently use improv games to help groups develop supportive relationships, remove personal blocks and be more productive.

Zoom Improv Games for small groups include Corner Pictionary, where teams assign a participant to each corner in the space. Create a clear request for each space (kitchen item, color, etc.). Teams race to create that item for as many corners as they can guess. On the opposite end of the action spectrum is Radio Mime where one person acts out a word or phrase and another groups guesses. In order to increase suggestibility, all employees need to be silent while watching.
For smaller groups of 4-8, I like pairing Pick One Word, Mine and How: Mine begins with employees writing a list of words on a sticky note. One at a time, they call on others team members to select one. The person holding the next note reads the two words they have, and the next player must find a way to put them together. For example, if the word — BANANA — was laid out, a player might choose apple or grape. How focuses on straight wordplay. Just call out a word — milk, rock, fish — and ask teams to think of all the ways the word can be spoken, written or drawn.

If you have a conference room or an open area for your Zoom meeting, this icebreaker is one you can easily work into your conversation. A little tweak on this game could make it a perfect ice breaker for a more meaningful, adult-only meeting. With the game, the catch is that the player answers in Haiku; be creative with the words you choose, but don’t say anything inappropriate! (A haiku is a very short poem composed of three lines of 5-7-5 syllables, respectively.)

Humor is the first word that comes to mind when we talk about comedy. Indeed, comedy as a genre of fiction is defined as any work with humor as its biggest element. A virtual comedy show, therefore, is either a play, a film, or a TV show, whose main goal is to make the audience laugh and be amused.

You can book comedy groups or comedians that cater to large groups. There are a variety of these groups that can spice up your next virtual happy hour. You can check out Funny Business for comedians for hire or Summit Comedy for comedians who cater to different types of audiences.

As human beings, we are drawn to humor. We like shows that lift our spirits or even lines that make us giggle. At work, we inject humor not just to lighten the atmosphere but to connect with co-workers as we get things done with them. When people are in a fun working environment, they tend to be more accepting of new ideas, manage stress and burnout better, and eventually become more productive.
Your employees will surely have fun while watching comedy shows. Not just that, they also get to share a unique experience with the rest of their team. Most of all, it’s a license for them to just let loose and still have a good, hearty laugh after a hard day’s work.