Conflicting Roles: A Psychological Improvisational Acting Game

Conflicting Roles:  

A Psychological Improvisational Acting Game   

©2009 by Kevin Smith   

  

Age: 12+   

Minimum number of players: 4   

Maximum number of players: theoretically there is no maximum, but play becomes unwieldy if there are more than 10-12   

Object of the game: to acquire the most points. Points are awarded for achieving goals during 5-minute acting rounds, as well as for correctly guessing actors’ goals when sitting in the audience as spectators   

Game components: one set of Acting Cards, one timer, pads and pencils       
Description of game play: At the beginning of a round, two players are selected to be "actors" for that round of play. Each player is entitled to participate in an equal number of rounds as an actor, but may refuse this right if they prefer to be spectators, in which case players who have already participated in their fair share of rounds may volunteer to be actors for additional rounds. If no two players can be found who are willing to be actors, the game ends, points are tallied and a winner (or winners in the case of a tie) is declared.

At the beginning of each round, actors select a set of acting cards at random from the box of Acting Cards. Players agree among themselves who will play what role for the round. If they cannot agree, role selection is determined by coin toss. In some cases the role of one or both of the actors is indicated as "Anybody", in which case the actor can take on any persona they feel best helps them achieve their goal. Once roles have been determined, the timer is set to one minute and players turn over their cards and have one minute to prepare for their "performance." Once time is up, the timer is set to three minutes and the acting round begins.   

Unless otherwise specified on their cards, actors may do and say whatever they wish in an attempt to achieve their goals. Once an actor feels s/he has successfully achieved his/her goal, the actor shouts out: "Goal" and no further acting is allowed. The actor who claims victory shows his/her card to the other actor who verifies that the other player has indeed won the round. (If the actor disputes the claim, resolution is put off until spectators have had a chance to record their guesses as to both actors’ goals for the round.)   

Spectators then record their guesses as to what the goal of the losing actor was. Then both actors read their cards out loud and points are awarded. Points are awarded to the actors as per instructions given on the cards. On most cards the first player to be able to legitimately claim a win (goal) receives five points. If not otherwise indicated on the cards, points are awarded to spectators in the following fashion: 

1) If one actor has achieved his/her goal, spectators receive one point each for correctly guessing the goal of the losing actor; 

2) If both actors have failed to achieve their goal by the end of the three-minute acting period, spectators receive one point each for correctly guessing the goal of one of the actors. If they have correctly guessed the goals of both actors, they receive two points each.   

On some cards the goals of both actors are identical. In some cases cards call for points to be awarded to an actor on the basis of whether spectators have managed to identify his/her goal correctly. Thus in some cases both actors may receive points at the conclusion of a round of play.   

If at the end of a round in which one actor has claimed victory it is determined, by majority vote of the spectators, that that actor in actuality failed to achieve his/her goal, all results for the round are nullified and players proceed to the next round of play.   

Players may agree before starting play to a specified number of rounds, or they may play until no two players can be found who are willing to be actors, or until players decide to quit play by mutual consent (or by majority vote, if mutual consent cannot be reached).     

Caveat: In order for the game to “work”, actors should try to take their roles seriously. That is, they should imagine as vividly as possible themselves in the roles. It is easier to win if a player focuses on the acting rounds merely as part of a game, but the game becomes much less interesting for that actor and the other players. 

SOME SAMPLE CARD SETS:   

CARD SET 1

Roles: Husband vs. Wife

Goal of Husband: “Wife says ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘I apologize’.”

Points awarded: 5

Goal of Wife: “Husband says ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘I apologize’.”

Points awarded: 5

CARD SET 2

Roles: Husband vs. Wife

Goal of Husband: “Show the spectators you are both in the living room. You may not use the name of any room.

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who thinks the scene is taking place only in the living room

Goal of Wife: “Show the spectators you are both in the kitchen. You may not use the name of any room.

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who thinks the scene is taking place only in the kitchen

CARD SET 3

Roles: Boss vs. Secretary

Goal of Boss: “Secretary says ‘I quit’.”

Points awarded: 5

Goal of Secretary: “Boss says ‘You’re fired’.”

Points awarded: 5

CARD SET 4

Roles: Anybody vs. Anybody

Goal of Anybody (1): “The other actor laughs. You may use only words to make the other actor laugh (i.e. no funny faces, gestures, pratfalls, etc.”

Points awarded: 5

Goal of Anybody (2): “The other actor laughs. You may use only words to make the other actor laugh (i.e. no funny faces, gestures, pratfalls, etc.”

Points awarded: 5

CARD SET 5

Roles: Anybody vs. Anybody

Goal of Anybody (1): “You make the spectators laugh.”

Points awarded: 1 point for each time at least one spectator laughs at something you say or do

Goal of Anybody (2): “The spectators avert their eyes in disgust.”

Points awarded: 3 points for each time any spectator averts his/her eyes in disgust

CARD SET 6

Roles: Capitalist vs. Communist

Goal of Capitalist: “The communist uses the word ‘money’.”

Points awarded: 5

Goal of Communist: “The capitalist uses the word ‘equal’ or ‘equality’.”

Points awarded: 5

CARD SET 7

Roles: Waiter vs. Diner

Goal of Waiter: “You bring the diner something other than what s/he ordered.”

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who notices you have brought something other than what the diner ordered, provided the diner does not notice.

Goal of Diner: “You order something, consume it, and leave without paying for it.”

Points awarded: 5

CARD SET 8

Roles: Presidential candidate vs. Presidential candidate

Goal of Presidential candidate: “You convince the spectators you are the better candidate for president.”

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who votes for you at the end of the round; spectators may not abstain

Goal of Presidential candidate: “You convince the spectators you are the better candidate for president.”

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who votes for you at the end of the round; spectators may not abstain

N.B. For this card set no points are awarded to spectators.

CARD SET 9

Roles: Referee vs. Coach

Goal of Referee: “Prove that no foul was committed.”

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who feels you have made your case more convincingly

Goal of Coach: ”Prove that a foul was committed.”

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who feels you have made your case more convincingly

CARD SET 10

Roles: Portraitist vs. Subject of a portrait

Goal of Portraitist: “You paint a beard and mustache on the face of the subject.”

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who notices you have added a beard and mustache , provided the other actor does not notice.

Goal of Subject of a portrait: “You steal a paintbrush from the portraitist.”

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who notices you have stolen a paintbrush provided the other actor does not notice.

CARD SET 11

Roles: Cat vs. Mouse

Goal of Cat: “You place your two hands on each cheek of the mouse at the same time.”

Points awarded: 5

Goal of Mouse: “You make bunny ears behind the cat’s head.”

Points awarded: 5 points, provided the other actor does not notice and at least one spectator notices you have achieved your goal

CARD SET 12

Roles: Buyer vs. Seller

Goal of Buyer: “You buy something from the seller that can only be green.”

Points awarded: 5 points

Goal of Seller: “You sell something to the buyer that can only be red.”

Points awarded: 5 points

CARD SET 13

Roles: Oak tree vs. Sapling

Goal of Oak tree: “You cast more visible shadows than the sapling.”

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who considers you have achieved your goal

Goal of Sapling: “You grow to be taller than the oak tree.”

Points awarded: 1 point for every spectator who considers you have achieved your goal

CARD SET 14

Roles: Old friend vs. Old friend

Goal of Old friend: “You shake hands with the other actor as many times as possible. The spectators should not guess what your goal is.”

Points awarded: 2 points for each time you shake hands; subtract 2 points for each spectator who correctly guesses your goal.

Goal of Old friend: “You hug the other actor as many times as possible. The spectators should not guess what your goal is.”

Points awarded: 2 points for each time you hug; subtract 2 points for each spectator who correctly guesses your goal.

CARD SET 15

Roles: Left hemisphere of the brain vs. Right hemisphere of the brain

Goal of Left hemisphere: “The right hemisphere moves around on the stage more than you do.”

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who considers you have achieved your goal. “Goal” may not be declared before the end of the round.

Goal of Right hemisphere: “The left hemisphere uses more words than you.”

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who considers you have achieved your goal. “Goal” may not be declared before the end of the round.

N.B. For this card set no points are awarded to spectators.

CARD SET 16

Roles: Anyone vs. Anyone

Goal of Anyone: Impersonate a spectator without naming or otherwise pointing him/her out.

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who guesses you were impersonating someone and who it was

Goal of Anyone: Impersonate a spectator without naming or otherwise pointing him/her out.

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who guesses you were impersonating someone and who it was

CARD SET 17

Roles: Chicken vs. Egg

Goal of Chicken: “You use the word ‘first’ in more different meanings and expressions than the egg.”

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who considers you have achieved your goal

Goal of Egg: “You use the word ‘first’ in more different meanings and expressions than the chicken.”

Points awarded:1 point for each spectator who considers you have achieved your goal

CARD SET 18

Roles: Logician vs. Poet

Goal of Logician: “The poet uses the word ‘number’.”

Points awarded: 5

Goal of Poet: “The logician uses the word “love’.”

Points awarded: 5

CARD SET 19

Roles: Teacher vs. Student

Goal of Teacher: “The student repeats without a mistake the tongue twister: ‘Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers/How man pecks of pickled peppers did Peter Piper pick?’”

Points awarded: 5

Goal of Student: “Spectators, but not the Teacher, see you are chewing gum.”

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who notices the gum chewing, provided the Teacher does not.

CARD SET 20

Roles: Anybody vs. Anybody

Goal of Anybody (1): “Prevent the other actor from achieving his/her goal.”

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who fails to guess the other actor’s role

Goal of Anybody (2): “Prevent the other actor from achieving his/her goal.”

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who fails to guess the other actor’s role

CARD SET 21

Roles: Anybody vs. Anybody

Goal of Anybody (1): “Spectators notice you have successfully picked the pocket of the other actor.”

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who notices, provided the other actor does not

Goal of Anybody (2): “Spectators notice you have successfully plucked a hair from the other actor’s head.”

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who notices, provided the other actor does not

CARD SET 22

Roles: Anybody vs. Anybody

Goal of Anybody (1): “Choose a goal. It must not succeed.”

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who correctly guesses what your goal was provided it does not succeed (i.e. you would not have been able to claim a win)

Goal of Anybody (2): “Choose a goal. It must not succeed.”

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who correctly guesses what your goal was provided it does not succeed (i.e. you would not have been able to claim a win)

CARD SET 23

Roles: Writer vs. Reader

Goal of Writer: “You introduce new words to the English language.”

Points awarded: 1 point for each word you make up that at least one spectator can correctly define multiplied by the number of spectators who can correctly define it.

Goal of Reader: “You use more words than the writer.”

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who considers you have achieved your goal.

CARDS SET 24

Roles: Brain vs. Heart

Goal of Brain: “Choose any goal. It must succeed.”

Points awarded: 5 points provided the heart does not achieve its goal

Goal of Heart: “Discover the brain’s goal and enable it to succeed.”

Points awarded: 5 points provided you have successfully identified the brain’s goal

CARD SET 25

Roles: God vs. The Devil

Goal of God: “The Devil returns to the righteous path.”

Points awarded: 5

Goal of the Devil: “God is convinced you have decided to return to the righteous path, but the spectators see you are lying.”

Points awarded: 5 points for each spectator who sees your decision is not genuine. If no spectator guesses this, God wins.

CARD SET 26

Roles: Hasidic mystic vs. Buddhist monk

Goal of Hasidic mystic: “You have no goal.”

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who correctly guesses. You may not say “I have no goal.”

Goal of Buddhist monk: “You have no goal.”

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who correctly guesses. You may not say “I have no goal.”

CARD SET 27

Roles: Mohammed vs. Mount Sinai.

Goal of Mohammed: “Mount Sinai takes three steps in your direction and comes within a meter of you.”

Points awarded: 5

Goal of Mount Sinai: “Mohammed refers to someone other than Allah as God or a god.”

Points awarded: 5

CARD SET 28

Roles: Gay man vs. Woman

Goal of Gay man: “Woman agrees to become a lesbian.”

Points awarded: 5

Goal of Woman: “Gay man agrees to become straight.”

Points awarded: 5

CARD SET 29

Roles: Superman vs. Spiderman

Goal of Superman: “Spiderman uses the word ‘sky’. You may not use the word yourself.”

Points awarded: 5

Goal of Spiderman: “Superman uses the word ‘earth’ or ‘land’. You may not use the words yourself.”

Points awarded: 5

CARD SET 30

Roles: Hippy vs. Punk

Goal of Hippy: “Punk uses the word ‘flower’. You may not use the word yourself.”

Points awarded: 5

Goal of punk: “Hippy uses the word ‘anarchy’. You may not use the word yourself.”

Points awarded: 5

CARD SET 31

Roles: Person on edge of roof vs. Person talking to person on edge of roof

Goal of Person on edge of roof: “The other actor agrees to jump (commit suicide) with you.”

Points awarded: 5

Goal of Person talking to person on edge of roof: “The other actor agrees not to jump.”

Points awarded: 5

CARD SET 32

Roles: Psychiatrist vs. Patient

Goal of Psychiatrist: “Patient agrees s/he is insane.”

Points awarded: 5

Goal of Patient: “Psychiatrist agrees s/he is insane.”

Points awarded: 5

CARD SET 33

Roles: Traffic cop vs. Speeding woman

Situation: a traffic cop has stopped a woman for speeding

Goal of Traffic cop: “She agrees to a date with you.”

Points awarded: 5

Goal of Woman: “He agrees not to give you a ticket.”

Points awarded: 5

CARD SET 34

Roles: Detective vs. Prisoner

Goal of Detective: “The prisoner admits to having committed the crime for which s/he is in prison.”

Points awarded: 5

Goal of prisoner: “The detective agrees to release you from prison.”

Points awarded: 5

CARD SET 35

Roles: Banker vs. Client

Goal of Banker: “The client says: ‘Sorry for bothering (or: ‘disturbing’ or ’troubling’ or ‘interrupting’) you’.”

Points awarded: 5

Goal of Client: “The banker agrees to give you a loan.”

Points awarded: 5

CARD SET 36

Roles: One guy vs. Another guy

Goal of One guy: Convince the spectators you are the better match for the girl you see walking by.

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who considers you the better match; spectators may choose not to vote

Goal of Another guy: Convince the spectators you are the better match for the girl you see walking by.

Points awarded: 1 point for each spectator who considers you the better match; spectators may choose not to vote

Game Credits

Original concept and design: Kevin Smith

Card sets designed by...

Card sets 1-7, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17-33: Kevin Smith

Card sets 8, 14: Aleksei Dobronov

Card sets 34, 35: Inessa Sokolina

Card sets 9, 12, 36: Yulia Almakayeva

Card set 16: Anastasia Kostyrya