A.K.A “Yes, Yes, Yes.” As described by Lisa Bany.

An improv exercise for using the five senses to feel present in the moment, and creating a unique experience with an ensemble

Inspired by therapeutic exercises that use the five senses to ground oneself and feel present in the moment (such as 5,4,3,2,1)*, I created this exercise for improvisers to explore their senses in a creative and grounding way.

Let’s imagine that we are visiting an interactive sensory art exhibit together today. We will decide the title of this exhibit, and then we will explore all of the sights, sounds, feels, smells and tastes of this exhibit. Because we are art enthusiasts, after every new thing someone discovers, we all experience it, and say, “Yes, yes, yes!” 

Sample of Play: We have decided our art exhibit is called, “Outer Space”

Leader: Welcome to Outer Space, an interactive sensory art exhibit. Please take the time to explore. There are things to see, hear, feel, smell and taste. Please share something you’re experiencing.

Alex: I see stars glowing and twinkling.

All: (pretending to admire the stars) Yes, yes, yes!

Jess: I feel dry moon dust in my hands.

All: (imagining dusty hands) Yes, yes, yes!

Charlie: I taste delicious cheese on the moon.

All: (pretending to eat cheese) Yes, yes, yes!

Josh: I hear the Star Wars theme played by 30 kazoos.

All: (pretending to hear) Yes, yes, yes!

Elliott: I smell the chocolate from a Mars bar.

All: (breathing the chocolate smell in) Yes, yes, yes!…

Participants can add anything to the exhibit, in any order.

 

*5,4,3,2,1 is a grounding exercise where one tries to identify

5 things they can see

4 things they can hear

3 things they can feel

2 things they can smell

1 thing they can taste