Questions Only
Questions Only is a scene game in which performers must communicate exclusively through questions. Any player who makes a declarative statement, hesitates, or repeats a question pattern is replaced by another performer. The game has roots in Keith Johnstone's TheatreSports and was popularized by Whose Line Is It Anyway. It trains quick thinking and the ability to advance scenes without statements.
Variations
Known variants of Questions Only with distinct rules or structure.
Only Questions
Only Questions is a scene game in which performers must communicate exclusively through questions. Any player who makes a statement, hesitates too long, or repeats a question structure is replaced. The game was popularized by Whose Line Is It Anyway and has roots in Keith Johnstone's TheatreSports. It trains quick thinking and the ability to advance a scene without declarative dialogue.
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The Lineage
Explore the schools and structures that influenced or evolved from Questions Only.
TheatreSports
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). Questions Only. Retrieved September 28, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/games/questions-only
The Improv Archive. "Questions Only." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/games/questions-only.
The Improv Archive. "Questions Only." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/games/questions-only. Accessed September 28, 2026.
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