Quick Description
How to Play
Players or students stand in a circle.
Say: Image you are outside standing around a campfire. It is chilly. Right behind each of us is wood for the fire. Small pieces and large pieces. Perfect things to toss into the fire.
Reflect on our time together in the workshop or performance. What do you want to remember, or something you appreciate?
When you think of something, pick up an imaginary log and toss it on the fire as you say out loud what you want to remember or appreciate.
As each new log hits the fire, the other payers rub their hands together warming them on the fire and the reflection.
Notes
This can be an effective way to end a workshop.
The exercise takes it’s own pace. Let the group have this exercise. It doesn’t need much explanation or management.
Allow people to speak when they want to instead of speaking in turn.
It’s okay if someone doesn’t want to speak.
Variations
You could focus this on appreciations for the people in the group.
You could focus it on things you’ll do next time. (I’ve never done this but it seems worth testing.)
Origin
I learned about this activity from Diane Rachel at BATS Improv. She used it at the end of a corporate improv workshop. Great work Diane. Thank you for sharing this exercise.