The Encyclopedia of Interactive Performance

Players stand in a circle. One player throws a sound to another player. The receiver catches the “soundball” by repeating the sound that was thrown. Then the receiver throws a new sound to someone else. Keep the soundball moving as quickly as possible.

Variations

Wagon wheel – When there are many players, make an outer and inner circle. The outer-circle players walk around the inner-circle players who are playing the game. Outer-circle players tap inner-circle players to trade places.

Theme sounds – The sounds that are made are all related to a particular theme. (E.g., city sounds, jungle sounds, emotional sounds.)

Multi-ball – The game is played with two (or more) soundballs.

Two-ball chase – Two players each throw a soundball simultaneously. Player A throws to anyone in the circle, and Player B throws to Player A. The pattern continues. This requires listening to what you’ll be receiving at the same time as you are throwing.

No eye contact – The soundball can only be thrown to someone who is not looking at you. This helps focus the intention of the thrower and the soft focus of the receiver.

No circle – Players position themselves randomly around the room and play the game. This requires 360-degree awareness.

Notes

• Make actual sounds, not words that represent sounds, such as “blam” or “meow.”
• The reason to focus on speed is to turn off the brain.
• Sounds don’t have to be fast, but the time between catching one and throwing another should be quick.
• Don’t make clever throws and catches. This gets in the way of speed.
• Keep the rhythm consistent. If may help to clap a tempo, then throw and catch to that rhythm.
• When control has been released, the game becomes effortless.