Hot Spot
1990s-present ยท US / Canada
Also known as Hotspot, Song Hot Spot
Players ring a circle; one stands in the center singing a song, and before they run dry someone taps in with a new song triggered by an association from the last one.
Known for
- Among the first warm-ups taught in improv: it trains players to act fast, spot patterns, and get out of their heads.
- Each new song is sparked by a lyric, word, or melody from the previous one, building a live web of associations.
- Not a singing test; la-las and gibberish are encouraged, and the circle supports by singing along and clapping.
- A staple in UCB, Magnet, and Canadian Improv Games warm-up rotations, with a story-telling variant in place of songs.
Connected to
Games
Forms
musical improv
Concepts