Sitting Standing Lying
Sitting Standing Lying is a three-player scene exercise in which one performer must always be sitting, one standing, and one lying down. Any change of position by one player forces the others to redistribute. The constraint keeps performers physically active and creates natural stage movement that enriches scenes.
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Related Exercises
Sit Stand Lie Lean
Sit Stand Lie Lean is a scene exercise in which each performer must maintain a different physical position at all times: one sitting, one standing, one lying down, and one leaning. Whenever a player changes position, the others must adjust accordingly. The exercise trains spatial awareness and teaches performers to stay physically dynamic throughout a scene.
Three Line Environment
Three Line Environment is a scene exercise in which performers must establish a complete physical environment using only three descriptive lines of dialogue or three physical actions. The constraint teaches economy of expression and the power of specific, well-chosen details to create a vivid shared space.
Positive Scene Challenge
Positive Scene Challenge is an exercise in which performers must play an entire scene without conflict, negativity, or problems to solve. The constraint forces players to find sources of engagement beyond argument and teaches that scenes can be compelling through shared joy, discovery, and mutual support.
Stand Up/sit Down
Stand Up/Sit Down is a scene exercise in which performers alternate between standing and sitting positions, with each change of posture prompting a shift in the scene's energy, topic, or emotional register. The exercise trains awareness of how physical position affects performance and teaches players to use body state as a storytelling tool.
Three Rules
Three Rules is a scene exercise in which the facilitator establishes three specific constraints that performers must maintain throughout their scene. The constraints can be physical (always touching the wall, never letting your hands go below your waist), verbal (never using the letter S, only asking questions), or behavioral (treat your partner as royalty, move as if underwater). The exercise demonstrates that limitations generate rather than restrict creative choices, and trains performers to divide attention between scene work and rule compliance.
One Line Scene
One Line Scene is an exercise in which two performers play an entire scene using only a single line of dialogue each. The constraint forces players to communicate through subtext, physicality, and emotional weight rather than verbal exposition. The exercise demonstrates how little language is needed to establish a compelling relationship or situation.
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). Sitting Standing Lying. Retrieved March 17, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/exercises/sitting-standing-lying
The Improv Archive. "Sitting Standing Lying." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/exercises/sitting-standing-lying.
The Improv Archive. "Sitting Standing Lying." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/exercises/sitting-standing-lying. Accessed March 17, 2026.
The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.