Want Pursuit Scene

Overview

Each player receives (or chooses) a specific want before the scene begins. The scene unfolds as both players pursue their wants honestly, creating natural tension without needing to invent conflict.

This exercise teaches players that scenes don’t need premises — they need desire. When both players know what they want and pursue it through behaviour, the scene writes itself.

Setup

• Two chairs, centre stage
• Side-coach gives each player a want quietly (or players choose their own)
• Example wants: “I want you to forgive me”, “I want to impress you”, “I want you to leave”
• Rest of the group watches

Props/Tools

• Want cards (optional): a deck of pre-written wants to draw from
• Timer: 3–5 minutes per scene

What It Develops

• Clarity of objective — knowing what you want before you speak
• Emotional honesty — pursuing something real rather than performing an idea
• Listening under pressure — staying responsive while holding your own point of view
• Organic structure — understanding how wants create scene movement without forcing plot

Common Mistakes

• Stating the want out loud instead of pursuing it through behaviour
• Abandoning the want when the scene gets uncomfortable or confusing
• Playing the want too subtly — it should be visibly driving your choices
• Both players choosing wants that don’t create any friction

Variations

• Blind Wants: Neither player knows the other’s want
• Shifting Wants: Side-coach changes the want mid-scene with a quiet tap
• Group Debrief: After each scene, the audience tries to identify the wants before they’re revealed

Where It Fits in a Session

Use after a warm-up, in the core exercise block. Works especially well after discussing the concept of playing with wants, or paired with an article like Playing with Wants.