Bear of Poitiers
Bear of Poitiers is a group physicality exercise drawn from the Theatre of the Oppressed tradition. Players form a tight circle and one player in the center, the "bear," attempts to break free while the group holds the circle together. The exercise explores group dynamics, physical assertiveness, and the balance of individual will against collective resistance.
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Related Exercises
Strike a Pose
Strike a Pose is a physical exercise in which players assume strong, committed physical positions and use each pose as a starting point for character, scene, or interpretive discovery. The exercise demonstrates that physical choices precede and inform emotional and character choices, rather than following from them. Multiple documented variants use the same core mechanic of striking and holding a pose to develop ensemble responsiveness, scene inspiration, and interpretive skill.
Solitaire
Solitaire is a solo performance exercise in which a single performer improvises a complete scene or monologue without any scene partners. The player must populate the world with implied characters, environment, and narrative through their own voice and physicality alone. The exercise develops self-reliance, strong point of view, and the ability to sustain audience engagement independently.
Barney
Barney is an energy and movement warm-up exercise in which players adopt an exaggerated, lumbering physical character and interact with the group through simple, playful commands. The exercise asks participants to embody a large, slow, friendly creature (often described as a dinosaur or monster) and move through the space with maximum physical commitment and minimum self-consciousness. The inherent silliness of the character lowers inhibitions quickly, making Barney effective as an early warm-up for groups that are new to physical work or uncomfortable with large physical choices. The exercise builds comfort with exaggerated movement, vocal projection, and the willingness to look ridiculous in front of others, all foundational skills for improv performance.
Tug of War
Tug of War is a physicality exercise in which two performers enact an invisible tug of war, each working to establish the weight, resistance, and stakes of the contest through committed physical play. The exercise develops physical specificity and the ability to create shared fictional realities through mime.
Columbian Hypnosis
Columbian Hypnosis is a Theatre of the Oppressed exercise in which one player holds their palm in front of a partner's face, and the partner must keep their face at a fixed distance from the hand as it moves through space. The leader's hand controls the follower's entire body. The exercise explores power dynamics, control, and physical responsiveness.
The Magnet
The Magnet is a physical ensemble exercise in which one player acts as a magnet moving through the space while other players respond as if they are iron filings, drawn toward or pushed away depending on the magnet's orientation. The exercise develops physical responsiveness, spatial sensitivity, and ensemble attunement through non-verbal interaction.
The Lineage
Explore the schools and structures that influenced or evolved from Bear of Poitiers.
Games for Actors and Non-Actors (Boal)
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). Bear of Poitiers. Retrieved September 29, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/exercises/bear-of-poitiers
The Improv Archive. "Bear of Poitiers." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/exercises/bear-of-poitiers.
The Improv Archive. "Bear of Poitiers." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/exercises/bear-of-poitiers. Accessed September 29, 2026.
The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.