Format wheel
Actors play a scene, the host periodically stops with a bell and asks the audience to name a number from 1 to 6, each number has a format or game rule assigned to it.
Players
2–5
Duration
10-15 min
Difficulty
Advanced
Full description
"Format Wheel" (or "Format Russian Roulette") is a meta-format where a single scene constantly changes its rules.
Actors begin playing an ordinary free scene, establishing characters, location, and conflict.
The host stops the action at any moment with a bell and asks the audience to name a number from 1 to 6. Each number has a pre-assigned format, rule, or restriction.
Example rule set (as observed at a show):
- Rewind (the scene rewinds and is replayed)
- No words containing the letter S
- Options (change every 20-30 seconds):
- Everyone speaks only in questions
- One actor speaks words only starting with a specific letter
- Musical — everyone sings
- Scandinavian mythology — everyone speaks like gods
- [not named, can be anything]
- [not named]
- [not named]
When a number is called, actors immediately begin playing by the new rule, continuing the same scene. Characters, situation, and plot remain — only the style or restrictions change.
The host may change formats frequently (every 30-60 seconds) for chaotic dynamics, or less often for deeper exploration of each rule.
This creates an absurd, unpredictable scene where actors constantly adapt to new conditions while the audience controls the changes.
Key rules
This is one continuous scene, there is no montage. Format changes happen within the scene without interrupting the plot. Characters and situation are stable, only the game rules change.
Format structure
Context
What to try next
Similar formats, so you can keep the rehearsal moving without stopping to search.
No Laughs Scene
A short-form game for three performers where whoever gets a laugh exits immediately and is replaced by the third performer — as the same character.
Inner Thoughts
A short-form scene where performers step out of dialogue to voice their characters' inner thoughts — or freeze and ask the audience what to do next.
D&D Improv
Actors play out a scene, the host freezes time and rolls a die (d20) to determine action success, and also injects unexpected events for dynamic. The format adapts table…
What did the author forget to say?
An audience member retells their favorite book (ideally remembering it poorly); actors ask clarifying questions, then play scenes with edits based on what they heard.
Jar of jam
A modified Harold with character shuffling between scenes across three beats, where performers swap partners while keeping their characters.
5-4-3-2-1
A long-form where five storylines from audience suggestions are gradually eliminated — the survivors weave together and converge into one final scene.