The Body Tangle
Body Tangle Activity (also known as the Human Knot)
The Body Tangle is a great activity for learning ensemble skills in theatre. It is also a great cooperation and leadership activity.
Instructions:
1. Have the group form a circle.
(Note: The larger the circle means the more complex the knot will be. We suggest starting out with smaller groups and building up and combining groups together as you replay the activity.)
2. Have everyone in the group raise one hand in the air and then reach across and take someone’s
hand from across the group. You can ask them to raise a specific hand first (left or right) if you want.
(Note: In the event that there is an odd number of people in the group, have one person step back and while the others raise their hand and then reach across. Have the “odd person out” step back in and take one person’s second hand.
3. Have everyone in the group raise their second hand in the air and then reach across and take someone else’s hand from across the group. Instruct them specifically not to grab the same person’s hand as before or just take the hand of the person on either side of them.
4. The group must now work together to get themselves untangled without anyone letting go of each other.
5. If someone let’s go, the whole process starts over again.
Optional Instructions (if doing it multiple times):
*You can make it so that no one can speak. (Showing the importance of communication)
*You can make it so that only one person can speak. (Showing how one person cannot always see everything)
*You can make a point to have one person helping out that is not part of the tangle. (Because we all have different perspectives. The person on the outside is removed from the situation and can see things everyone else can’t, but those on the inside can also see things that the person not part of the circle can’t see. This like a director in the house and the others backstage.)
*Encourage them to make only one change at a time and listen to each other before making a move.
Talking Points:
Did a clear leader emerge from the group?
Did the group collaborate equally?
What worked?
What didn’t work? Don’t let it get into a finger pointing match.