Here’s an improv generator for the well-loved Theatresports game “Press Conference”. This fun improv game involves one player trying to guess which famous person or character they are and the announcement they are about to make, as they hold a press conference in front of three other players in their team, or the whole class.
As one player exits the room, the other players or the class use the random generator, below, to determine which public figure this player will be. They then discuss the types of questions they can ask them during the game.
The player must now re-enter the room, in character as a public figure they do not know, hosting a press conference for a special announcement. The other players or the rest of the class act as newspaper journalists who, one by one, ask questions that are broad at first, then gradually become more specific as the game progresses.
The host responds to various questions in character, ad-libbing material to create more fun, all the while receiving little clues as to who they are. The game ends when the host remains in character and correctly guesses the public figure their character is and their press conference announcement.
There are some variations in this game that groups could choose. The most challenging version of the game includes a pool of choices for public figures that are both living and dead, real and fictional, human and non-human. For example, the Donkey from Shrek is an animated character, while Miley Cyrus is human. LeBron James is living, while William Shakespeare is not.
Added to this is a statement announcing the reason the person or character is holding a press conference. For some groups, this will add a focus or context for the press conference that makes it easier to play the game, even though most of the reasons for the press conference are ludicrous (adds to the fun). For other groups, creating questions that relate to this reason may make it too difficult. If this is the case, ignore the press conference announcement and simply require the host to guess their identity by the end of the game.
The Press Conference generator on this page lists all of the above variations. If you like, you can keep pressing the ‘Reveal’ button until a suitable option appears, then start the game.
By now it should be obvious to most that the improv game Press Conference, is a drama version of the fun game Celebrity Heads.
Game: Press Conference
Goal: To practice quick thinking, adaptability, and improvisation by engaging in a game where one player holds a press conference while the other players act as reporters.
Level: Intermediate
Rules: This game can either be played in a team of four, or with the whole class. One player exits the room. The rest of the team/class determine who they will be and their ‘special announcement’, by using the random generator, below. Once the public figure and their announcement are chosen, the class discuss potential questions. The player re-enters the room, acting as a famous person/public figure/celebrity as they host a press conference. The class act as journalists/reporters, asking questions and offering clues. The host must respond in character, even though they do not know who they are or their announcement. The game ends when the host guesses their identity and their special announcement.
Time: Open
Skills: Quick thinking, adaptability, and improvisation
Press conference Random Generator
If you liked this game, try playing other games here on The Drama Teacher with browser-generated prompts, such as Party Quirks, In A, With A, While A, and Job Interview.
