How to Play
To play Glorious Goat have the group stand in a circle.
One player (A) approaches another player (B) in the circle. The player (A) acts as if they are carrying a goat in their arms to the other player (B) and gives the goat to that player saying, “I give you the glorious goat.”
The player receiving the glorious goat says, “I have the glorious goat.”
The players on either side of the player receiving the goat say, “S/he has the glorious goat.”
The players on either side of them get down on one knee, raise an arm up and say, “Isn’t it great that s/he has the glorious goat?”
Emotional Glorious Goat
Play that way for a few rounds and then add this twist.
The player receiving the goat adds an emotion when receiving the goat. The player receiving the goat doesn’t say the emotion they just do the emotion. They still say, “I have the glorious goat.”
The players on either side of the player receiving glorious goat amplify the emotion as they say, “S/he has the glorious goat.”
The players on either side of them name the emotion when they go down to the knee, for example, “Isn’t it sad that s/he has the glorious goat.”
It’s OK if they say different things. The players should say whatever they say with commitment.
Notes
The interactions are played with an air of ritual. Voices declaratory and actions displayed for others.
Use this games to teach: Collaboration. Commitment. Emotional investment. Spontaneity. And….
Origin
I learned this activity from Basel Al-Naffouri who leaned it from Ben Johnson who learned it from Rachel Rosenthal (at PIT in NYC). Rachel says that she learned it from Christian Capozzoli of Reckless Theater. Rachel also says that when she learned the activity, it was called The Gracious Goat.
I’ve also heard from Improvisor Kinneri Shah (From China’s Channel 21 Improv Group) that she learned the game from Sarah Hoops (also from China). Kinneri says they play the game with with the phrase “I give you the Holy Grail” instead of the Glorious Goat.
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