SECOND TAKE

What is this?

Second Take is a conversation and rehearsal game. Players act out short, realistic situations where something is already slightly wrong — uncomfortable, unfair, or unresolved.

The scene is played once as written. Then the group pauses.

During the pause, players propose different ways the situation could be handled. The scene is replayed with those changes, and the group reflects on what shifted — and what did not.

There is no winning or losing. The point is to make power, risk, and agency visible.

What you need to play

• 3–8 players
• One shared space (physical or videocall)
• One player acting as Director
• Each player opens user.html on their own device
• Willingness to pause, replay, and discuss

The cards

Situation cards describe a context, roles, and a baseline tension. They define what is already happening before anyone intervenes.

Reaction cards describe possible actions or responses. They are always visible and can be proposed by anyone.

Feedback cards describe how the replay is interpreted. They are used to support discussion, not to judge outcomes.

Game flow

1. The Director selects or generates a Situation
2. Roles from the situation are assigned to players
3. The scene is played once, following the baseline tension
4. The Director calls a pause
5. Anyone may propose one or more Reaction cards
6. The Director chooses which reactions will be tried
7. The scene is replayed with those changes
8. All players point to one or more Feedback cards
9. The group discusses what changed, what stayed the same, and why

Important principles

• Reactions propose actions, not solutions
• Feedback cards describe effects, not success or failure
• Multiple interpretations are allowed to coexist
• Silence, exit, or inaction are valid responses
• The Director may adapt or stop a scene for safety
• Conversation matters more than performance

Ready?

Open the player interface to view the cards and begin a first situation.

Go to Player Interface