Do-it-yourself Team Building Murder Mystery Games
Number of
teams/players
Length
of these teambuilding games
Pre-event
prep time needed for the teambuilding murder mystery game
Sample
timeline
Number
of teams/players: Up
to 12 teams of detectives (4 to 10 per team) plus a team of 6 to
8 suspects (your cast), depending on the script you
choose.
Length
of these teambuilding games: Approximately
2 to 2 ½ hours .
We recommend adding time for a team assessment discussion at the
conclusion
of the mystery.
Pre-event
prep time needed for the teambuilding murder mystery game: You
can prep any of these teambuilding programs in an hour
or two. You’ll need to print
programs and other such documents and organize the props and
supplies but
it’s all very
simple to do. We do recommend however that you give your
prime suspects about 2 weeks to get familiar with the script
and to prepare their character. Although you can wing it,
we recommend at least one cast read through of the script prior
to your event. We'd
also recommend that you all watch our little video to
get a "visual". Set
a time to get together, perhaps add some food and drink to the "rehearsal",
and just TALK through the script. Don't have everyone read it
word for word - it won't help anyone really understand what's
happening and it's pretty boring. We've always found that if
you all talk through the action/sequence as your character, it
helps loosen things up, people start finding the humor in their
character and they get a better understanding of the whole picture.
It's informal and relaxed - two things you need to alleviate
some of the actors' nervousness. More
advice and helpful tips.
THE
USUAL SET UP/TIMELINE WITH A DINNER* IS AS FOLLOWS:
- Upon arrival, the guests receive a program that will be a guideline for the mystery .
- The primary suspects start to mingle in character, usually during the reception, and begin setting up the mystery with clues, arguments, gossip, that sort of thing.
- Just about the time the first course is served, your teams of detectives witness the murder.
- The suspects then take a short break from any major action so everyone can enjoy their main course and discuss the mystery, finalize their team project and use this opportunity to question the suspects.
- As the main course is being cleared, the teams should present their team project.
- After which, the mystery continues to unfold with more dramatic action and more clues that will lead to the mystery's conclusion.
- The "detective" character then allows the guests to asks the suspects any final questions and has the teams fill out their detective evidence record
- Each team presents their findings via their team speaker.
- The solution is dramatically revealed around the time dessert is served.
- Awards are presented and the mystery concludes.
- You can include a debriefing, team assessment discussion here