Three Noses
Three Noses is a physical warm-up game in which players must keep exactly three noses in contact at all times, creating shifting configurations of three people touching nose to nose, nose to hand, or nose to other body parts. The constraint creates absurd physical arrangements and builds comfort with close contact and collaborative problem-solving.
Worth Reading
See all books →
The Triangle of the Scene
A Simple, Practical, Powerful Method for Approaching Improvisation
Paul Vaillancourt

Drama Games and Improvs
Games for the Classroom and Beyond
Justine Jones; Mary Ann Kelley

Group Improvisation
The Manual of Ensemble Improv Games
Peter Campbell Gwinn; Charna Halpern

Theater Games for the Lone Actor
Viola Spolin

112 Acting Games
Gavin Levy

Playing Along
37 Group Learning Activities Borrowed from Improvisational Theater
Izzy Gesell
Related Exercises
Follow Your Nose
Follow Your Nose is a physical exploration exercise in which players literally lead with their nose as the point of initiation for all movement through the space. By designating a single body part as the physical driver, the exercise disrupts habitual movement patterns and develops kinesthetic awareness, physical specificity, and the discovery of how a small physical choice can alter an entire physical identity.
Three in a Circle
Three in a Circle is a focus exercise in which three players stand in a circle and must simultaneously track multiple tasks such as counting, passing gestures, and maintaining eye contact patterns. The overlapping demands train split attention and the ability to process multiple inputs, skills essential to ensemble performance.
Fruit Basket
Fruit Basket is an energizing warm-up in which players are assigned fruit names and must swap seats when their fruit is called. When "fruit basket" is called, everyone moves at once. The game raises energy and sharpens reaction time while providing a simple structure that works with any group size.
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). Three Noses. Retrieved September 28, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/exercises/three-noses
The Improv Archive. "Three Noses." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/exercises/three-noses.
The Improv Archive. "Three Noses." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/exercises/three-noses. Accessed September 28, 2026.
The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.