One of my favorite exercises is to have my actors bring in a toy – NON ELECTRICAL and not a game – that they loved as a child. I ask them to set up their toys around a bare acting studio and begin to play. I give them no other rules except to invite them to play for the entire period. They all think this is going to be a cinch! It proves to be one of the more difficult excercises that we do all year. The sense of PLAY and the value of TOYS and the gift of IMAGINATION are easy to the young child but a definite challenge as you age. My students do real well for a few minutes then they face the real challenge. It is a mighty fun and humbling lesson. Fun and games is hardly easy.