Summary
Two players perform a scene. Two other players stand at the sides, each holding (or reading from memory) stage directions pulled from existing plays — lines like “She crosses to the window, pauses, looks back with a complicated expression.” At any moment, either stage directions player reads a direction aloud, and the scene actors must immediately incorporate the physical direction into their scene — justifying the movement as if it were their own idea. The collision of dramatic stage directions with an unrelated scene generates surprising moments.
Example
Scene is two people at a DMV. Stage direction: “He collapses to his knees, arms outstretched, as if addressing the heavens.” The scene actor must immediately collapse to their knees at the DMV desk and make it make sense. “How long have I been waiting?! HOW LONG?”