And Then
And Then is a storytelling exercise in which each contribution to a group story must begin with the phrase "and then." The connective phrase enforces forward momentum and prevents storytellers from stalling or backtracking. The exercise trains narrative drive and the habit of advancing rather than circling.
Structure
Setup
- Players stand in a circle or sit in a group.
- A story is told collaboratively, with each player adding to it.
- Each contribution must begin with the phrase "and then."
The Constraint
- "And then" is a forward-moving connective: it continues the story rather than backtracking, expanding, or digressing.
- Players cannot begin with "but," "however," "meanwhile," or anything that implies a reversal or complication without advancement.
- Each "and then" must add a new event or action: something that happens next.
What the Phrase Does
- It enforces narrative drive. A story that must always say "and then" cannot stall.
- It prevents performers from returning to previous events or adding backstory.
- It creates a cumulative chain of events that moves from beginning toward ending.
Story Shape
- The story should build toward some form of resolution.
- The facilitator can end the exercise by calling "The end" when the story has reached a natural conclusion.
Variations
- Players alternate "and then" stories with "yes, and" stories to explore the difference in scene texture.
- A director calls "and then" when the story stalls, prompting the current speaker to advance.
How to Teach It
How to Explain It
"'And then.' Every time. Your job is to move the story forward. Not explain it. Not go back to what happened before. Tell us what happened next. 'And then' is the only thing you need. Start with it."
Common Notes
- The constraint reveals which performers habitually stall stories in favor of elaboration or digression.
- Players who struggle to follow the "and then" rule after being coached are providing valuable information about their relationship to narrative advancement.
- Stories made entirely of "and then" become very fast-moving; the exercise may need a facilitator to call an ending before the story runs away with itself.
Common Pitfalls
- Players say "and then" but continue from the same moment rather than advancing. The phrase must introduce a new event.
- The story becomes a list of disconnected events with no cumulative shape because every "and then" introduces something unrelated to what came before.
- Players resist the constraint and import connective phrases that imply reversal or elaboration.
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Related Exercises
Word-at-a-Time Story
Word at a Time Story is a foundational ensemble exercise in which participants collectively build a story by each contributing one word at a time. The exercise develops group attunement, the ability to surrender individual narrative control, and trust in collective intelligence.
Three Sentence Story
Three Sentence Story is an exercise in which participants construct a complete narrative using exactly three sentences, one person contributing each sentence in sequence. The constraint forces immediate narrative commitment and trains the skill of building a satisfying story arc without the luxury of extended setup.
Story Circles
Story Circles is a collaborative storytelling exercise in which small groups sit in circles and build stories together, with each person contributing a segment before passing to the next. The exercise develops listening, narrative awareness, and the ability to build on others' contributions.
Advancing and Expanding
Advancing and Expanding is a scene technique exercise in which players practice the dual skills of moving a narrative forward and deepening the current moment. A caller instructs performers to either advance the plot or expand on the present beat with more detail and emotion. The exercise builds the storytelling instinct for when to push forward and when to linger.
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). And Then. Retrieved September 29, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/exercises/and-then
The Improv Archive. "And Then." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/exercises/and-then.
The Improv Archive. "And Then." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/exercises/and-then. Accessed September 29, 2026.
The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.