Gibberish Interview

Name and Purpose

Gibberish Interview is a quick-burst improv activity that builds confidence, listening, and creative response.
The nonsense format removes the pressure of “right answers” and replaces it with pure playful connection.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 8-40 players in pairs | 10-20 minutes | Any space; works indoors or outdoors, seated or standing

Materials

No materials required
Optional: a makeshift microphone prop (toilet roll tube, foam ball on a short stick) for the interviewer role
Optional: printed “interview setting” cards (e.g., “You are interviewing a famous chef”) for groups that want a theme

Quick-Run Card

Pair up. Each pair chooses who starts as the interviewer and who starts as the interviewee.
Interviewer speaks only in gibberish — no real words.
Interviewee answers as if they understood every word, using normal speech.
Try to keep going for 2 minutes without breaking down laughing.
Swap roles and go again.

Setup and Boundaries

Pairs spread out enough to hear each other without interference from other pairs
Signal: one raised hand from the leader = pause and gather; clap twice = swap roles now
No specific physical space required; pairs can sit, stand, or walk slowly

How to Play

Players pair up. Each pair decides who starts as the Interviewer and who starts as the Interviewee.
The Interviewer asks questions — but everything they say must be pure gibberish. No real words at all.
The Interviewee listens carefully to the gibberish and responds with a full, sensible answer, as though they understood every word perfectly.
Pairs try to keep a straight face and maintain the “interview” tone for as long as possible.
The counsellor calls “Swap!” after 2 minutes, and roles reverse.
After both players have tried both roles, pairs can share their funniest exchange with the group.
Optional: add a theme for the interview (“You are interviewing an astronaut,” “You are interviewing the world’s worst chef”) to guide the conversation.
Optional: “Talk Show” format — one pair performs in front of the group while others watch, then the next pair goes.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Fully commit to the interview in gibberish or respond with energy and detail
S (Support): Play the Interviewer role — gibberish is lower pressure than having to answer with sense
Q (Quiet): Keep your interview quiet, just between you and your partner, without performing for the group
O (Observer): Watch a pair perform for the group before joining your own pair

Inclusion Adaptations

Players who are not comfortable speaking can use a physical mime version: the Interviewer mimes their questions and the Interviewee responds in words
Players who are self-conscious about their voice or language abilities often find gibberish liberating — there is no correct pronunciation, no grammar to get wrong

Stewardship Moment

This activity uses zero materials (unless you bring a prop) — a reminder that great activities don’t require lots of stuff
Reflection: “What’s something fun or memorable you’ve done at camp that didn’t cost anything or need any equipment?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “This game involves speaking in nonsense sounds and being watched by your partner. For those not comfortable with speaking out loud, there’s a mime version where you use gestures instead of gibberish — just let me know before we start.”
Mid-game check: After the first 2-minute round, pause and check in as a group. Any pair can switch format (mime, quiet, or watch) at this point.
Opt-out/re-entry: Any player can step out of their pair and observe. Signal the leader with a thumbs-up to be paired up again or join an existing group of three.

Risks and Mitigation

Gibberish becoming unkind imitation (mocking a real language or accent): brief the group clearly before play — “Gibberish is invented sound, not an imitation of any real language or person”
One player dominating and not letting their partner respond: counsellor watches for this and prompts the Interviewee if needed (“What was your answer to that one?”)
Laughter making it hard to continue: this is the point — celebrate it and restart the timer

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Sound Circle”: stand in a circle and pass a made-up sound around (each person changes it slightly)
“Gibberish Introduction”: each person introduces themselves to a neighbour in gibberish for 15 seconds

Debrief Questions

What? “What was it like to answer a question you couldn’t actually understand?”
So What? “What does this game say about how we read context and body language to understand each other?”
Now What? “When in real life do you have to respond even when you don’t have all the information?”

Cleanup and Reset