NB: There are many variations, this is the one that works best for me.
Everyone stands in a circle.
Two people identify themselves to move into the middle by saying me or sometimes one and two.
They face each other. Stare into each others eyes and think of any word in the English language. They don't immediately speak it out loud.
The whole group then counts to three - one, two, three...
Both of the people in the middle say their word at the same time.
WHISTLE and BIRD for instance.
The people who have just spoken then return to the group, clearing the centre of the circle.
The goal now is to find a word that links whistle and bird. To find something that is conceptually halfway between the two.
Two new participants signal they have a word they believe is correct. They step into the circle in the normal way. The group counts to three and they say their word at the same time.
Play continues until THE SAME WORD IS SAID.
You can initiate a dance when you reach the same word. The chorus goes:
Mind meld It was a mind meld It happens all the time It was a mind meld
As you chant this you also dance into and out of the circle (a bit like the okie-cokie). You have free reign what to do with your hands - I like to do a tip the hat and a jazz hands. Maybe a swinging arms one too.
Here's the point though: the ultimate goal may be to say the same word but the fact it's so hard is what MAKES IMPROV SO AWESOME. The fact that every single one of our brain takes in the same input and spits out such incredibly different outputs should be celebrated. It's what makes improv fun.
So there should be no apology face. No accusatory face. Just the joy of know that there are two brains that are TRYING to work together. And that is enough.