The 8-Count Shakeout

Build energy - use at a conference, classroom, offsite, etc

Author

Tyler Farley
April 18, 2024

8-Count Shakeout

An 8-Count Shakeout is the backbone of improv. I have started every practice, class, and show with a shakeout for over 5 years. It has been used at every theatre and college troupe I have been involved with.

Picture this:

It’s 9am and you’re arrive at a conference workshop. You didn’t have time for breakfast so thank god someone dressed like the Salesforce mascot handed you a banana on the way in. Who was that guy? The presenter is immediately talking at you. You are now looking around the room:

There’s a coffee and croissant table on the far side.

You look around the room. Is that the guy who posts weird videos on LinkedIn?

5 minutes have passed and you haven’t heard a word the presenter has said.

Imagine instead:

The presenter took a moment to have you standup and physically move around your space. It resets the entire room and brings you all to the same energy level. I have been exhausted after a rough day, and a shakeout is the reset that brings me to the present moment.

Goal

  • This is an energetic physical warm-up that helps to get the blood flowing. Eye contact is important during this.

What

  • Skake right hand, left hand, right foot, left foot, and count down from 8. Then from 7, etc, until you are done.

    • Here’s a video showing how simple it is

  • Try to make eye contact (even if for 1 second) with EVERY person in the room.

    • This helps acknowledge those around you as living beings, just like you!

Use Cases

  • At a conference

  • In a classroom (Pre-K up to PhD)

  • To start a meeting

Time to play

5 minutes (including explanation)

Group Size

Infinite