A very important component to any performing arts class or lesson is the warm-up portion of the session. This is a good time for the teacher to break the ice with the students as well as allowing students the chance to venture into the magical world of theatre in a relaxed setting. A good warm-up is essential for setting the tone for the rest of the class. In this exercise one student is the leader and the other the follower. The leader mimes actions and activity while facing the follower who tries to match as exactly as possible anything being done by the leader until they are so syncronized that it appears they are truly a person looking into a mirror.
Students sit in a circle and someone suggests a descriptive title for the improvised story.
Each person will contribute their word as the game proceeds around the circle. The teacher will guide students toward a conclusion if one is not inevitable. Perhaps a brief discussion on the basic elements of a good short story could also be covered. The teacher will choose several different songs incorporating a wide variety of musical styles, tempi, orchestrations etc. and allow the students to improvise types of body movements that they feel go with the music being played. The more diverse the musical choices, the more creative the kids will become.