Trains: Be Brave — the threshold moment of starting.
Setup: Players line up. One at a time, each steps out and delivers a single declarative first line that commits to something — a feeling, a relationship, a situation. Don't try to establish everything; one specific commitment is enough. No response. No scene. Just the first line, then sit down. Next player. Run rapid-fire, 2-3 rounds minimum so everyone gets past their first attempt.
Examples:
- "Mom, I know you said not to call, but the house is on fire."
- "Doctor, I've been waiting in this room for two hours and I'm starting to think the test results are bad."
- "I can't believe you wore that to Dad's funeral."
What to notice: The fear before stepping out is almost always worse than the moment itself. The line doesn't have to be brilliant — it has to exist. Notice how every line, no matter how simple, instantly creates a world. Notice which lines make you lean in (usually the specific, emotionally grounded ones) versus which feel generic (usually the vague, hedged ones).
The core rule: Commit fully, don't hedge. No vague openers ("So, uh, what do you want to do?"). The line must land with specificity and conviction.
Side-coaching: "Don't think — go." "Faster." "You already know what to say." "Let the line be boring — just say it." Praise speed over cleverness. Call out when someone is visibly crafting in their head before stepping out — that's the exact habit this drill breaks.
Optional constraint — No questions: Push all lines to declarative statements. This removes the hesitation disguise of deferring creative burden to the imagined partner. Useful as a focused round, not necessarily the default.
Recommended warm-up — Circus Bow: Before the drill, have each player step forward, take a big theatrical bow, and say "I failed!" The group cheers. This pre-exercise survives the spotlight and defuses the fear of exposure. Widely used in Annoyance/iO tradition.
Variation — Do Something First: Enter with a physical action (sweeping, pacing, crying) and hold it for five seconds before speaking. This forces the body to lead and prevents the head from scripting the line in advance.