Draft:New Choice (improv game)

• Comment: No evidence of notability. • Quinn (talk) 12:58, 22 March 2026 (UTC)

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New Choice, also known as Change or Quick Change, is an improvisational theatre game in which a moderator interrupts an ongoing scene to force performers to instantly alter their last line of dialogue or physical action. It is a staple of improv training and performance, designed to encourage spontaneity and bypass a performer's internal "editor."

Gameplay

The game typically involves two or more performers beginning a scene based on a suggestion from the audience. A designated "caller" (usually a director, host, or facilitator) monitors the scene. At any point, the caller may shout "New Choice!" (or "Change!").

Upon hearing the command, the performer who just spoke or acted must immediately discard their last contribution and replace it with a new one. The caller may repeat the command multiple times in rapid succession for the same moment, requiring the performer to provide several variations before the scene is allowed to proceed.

Technique and Strategy

Experienced facilitators often use the game to push performers past "safe" or obvious choices. A common phenomenon in the game is the "Rule of Threes," where a performer’s first two choices are often superficial or logical, while the third is typically more unexpected or absurd. Coaches may also use the "New Choice" command to subvert a performer's expectations, such as calling it on a line the performer clearly feels confident in, or withholding the call when the performer is struggling, forcing them to commit to their initial idea.

Variants and Names

The game is known by several titles depending on the region or specific improv school:

• New Choice: The most common name within North American improv communities and the Keith Johnstone tradition.
• Change: A common shorthand used in workshops and by groups such as The Second City.
• Quick Change: The title used for the game on the television series Whose Line Is It Anyway?
• The Ding Game: A variation often found in classroom settings where a bell or buzzer is used instead of a verbal command.

Pedagogical Use

In an educational context, New Choice is utilized to develop specific performance skills, including:

• Adaptability: Training the performer to stay present and react to sudden changes in the narrative.
• Reduction of Fear: By treating every choice as replaceable, the game lowers the stakes of "making a mistake," making it a popular tool in Corporate training, corporate facilitation and team-building.
• Physicality: Coaches may use the game to force a "New Choice" on a gesture or movement, preventing the scene from becoming too dialogue-heavy.

In Popular Culture

The game gained widespread public recognition through the improv comedy program Whose Line Is It Anyway? It appeared as "Quick Change" in both the original British version (1988–1999) and the subsequent American version (1998–present). The televised format typically features the host (such as Clive Anderson, Drew Carey, or Aisha Tyler) acting as the caller.

References

1. ImprovWiki. New Choice. Primary documentation of rules and coaching notes.
2. SessionLab. New Choice / Change. Documentation of use in facilitation and alternate names.
3. Canadian Improv Games. Practice Games. Training contexts for competitive improv.
4. Alger, David. Rules of Improv. Pan Theater pedagogy.