The Counting Game

The group sits or stands in a circle – sitting is better – and closes

their eyes.

The task is to count from 1 to 30, with anyone starting at ‘1’ and others contributing subsequent numbers at random. If two people

speak at once, we have to start again.

It’s not allowable to set up ‘systems’ – having the colleague to your right always take on the count, for example. Many people, initially, continue to seek for ‘a system’ – to wait so many seconds before contributing, to listen out for hidden cues. There is no system.

This exercise is about allowing space for fellow ensemble members to make their contribution, and to help judge the moment when their own contribution is due.

Groups invariably get better at this exercise over time, which is interesting.