Hot Seating

Child smilling in drama class
Child development / Drama games / Hot seating

Hot Seat is an improvisation game that helps children explore empathy and character depth.

By stepping into the mind of their character, they practise improvisation, emotional intelligence and reflective thinking.

This game is ideal for deepening understanding of motives, consequences and relationships within a show.

Child acting in drama class

How to play

1. Choose a character

Ask the children to pick a character from their favourite show (or the role they are playing in their Perform class!)

One child sits in the "hot seat", pretending to be that character.

2. Ask questions

The rest of the group acts as interviewers and asks the character questions, such as:

  • "Why did you make that decision?"
  • "Are you glad you did that?"
  • "How did it make you feel?"
  • "Would you do it differently if you could go back?"
  • "What do you really think of the other characters?"

3. Encourage thoughtful responses

The child in the hot seat must stay in character and answer as their character, not themselves.

Prompt deeper thinking with follow-up questions or model an example response to get them started.

4. Rotate

After one round of questioning, invite another child to take the hot seat as a different character.

What it teaches

  • Empathy and emotional insight
  • Improvisation and performance confidence
  • Deeper understanding of dramatic characters and plot
  • Listening and critical questioning skills

Variations to try

  • Hot seat two characters at once for a live 'talk show'
  • Use fictional characters from books or other shows
  • Have the interviewer role-played by a 'TV reporter' with a mic and a clipboard


Principal's notes

Hot Seating is one of the most powerful ways to build empathy and deepen a child's understanding of character. It opens the door to real reflection and dramatic confidence

Lucy Quick, Principal of Perform.

Lucy Quick - Principal of Perform


More games to try...

Perform 7-12 child
FROM A-Z
Child smilling in drama class
NEXT!
Perform 7-12 child
BING BONG
Perform 7-12 child
FORTUNE TELLER