Yes And

Overview

Yes And is the bedrock of improvisation. Two players take turns making statements, and each must accept what was said (“Yes”) and add new information (“And”). It teaches the habit of building together rather than blocking, negotiating, or retreating into your own head.

Setup

• Players pair up and face each other
• One player starts with a simple declarative statement
• The other responds with “Yes, and…” then adds something new
• Continue back and forth for 2–3 minutes, then swap partners

What It Develops

• Acceptance — learning to receive what your partner gives you
• Building — adding new information that moves things forward
• Listening — you can’t yes-and something you didn’t hear
• Trust — knowing your partner will support your offer too

Common Mistakes

• Saying “Yes, and…” but actually negating what was said
• Adding information that contradicts or undermines the offer
• Asking questions instead of making statements
• Overthinking your response instead of reacting honestly

Variations

• Yes And Chain: Whole group stands in a circle, each person yes-ands the previous person’s statement
• Physical Yes And: No words — players mirror and build on each other’s physicality
• Yes And Scenes: Move from the exercise format into open scenes where the principle is applied naturally

Where It Fits in a Session

Use early in a session, especially with beginners. It sets the tone for everything that follows and reinforces the core principle of collaborative building.