Resource: 50 Relationship Prompts

Sometimes when your students do a playwriting assignment or an improvised scene, they’ll need a prompt to help them choose what kind of relationship their characters will have. Many students, when told to create characters with a “relationship,” think they have to write or perform a romantic pairing, which can be awkward or embarrassing. But have no fear! Below is a list of platonic, gender-neutral relationships your students can choose from:

1. Teacher and student
2. Professor and student
3. Teacher and principal
4. Student and guidance counsellor
5. Student and school bus driver
6. Student and librarian
7. Hairstylist and client
8. Makeup artist and client
9. Celebrity and assistant
10. Celebrity and fan
11. Singer and backup dancer
12. Actor and director
13. Director and stage manager
14. Director and producer
15. Director and designer (costume, lights, etc.)
16. Model and photographer
17. Athlete and coach
18. Chef and server
19. Server and restaurant patron
20. Airline attendant and pilot
21. Airline attendant and passenger
22. Reporter and interviewee
23. Magician and assistant
24. Child and babysitter
25. Store employee and customer
26. Doctor and nurse
27. Doctor and patient
28. Nurse and patient
29. Call centre employee and customer
30. Technical support and customer
31. Housekeeper and cook
32. Two employees at the same store
33. Roller coaster operator and guest
34. Hotel manager and guest
35. Landlord and tenant
36. Superhero and villain
37. Superhero and sidekick
38. Superhero and rescued person
39. Royalty and peasant
40. Royalty and bodyguard
41. Vegetarian and meat-eater
42. Psychic medium and ghost
43. Writer and director
44. Ventriloquist and puppet
45. Pirate captain and naval officer
46. Pirate captain and first mate
47. Author and illustrator
48. Pen pals
49. Driving instructor and new driver
50. Tradesperson and apprentice