[helps with gestures, improve speaking skills and it’s fun.]
Reading Theater & Choral Reading
Think ARPE [by T.P. Jagger]
A = Accuracy Say all the words correctly as you read. Vocabulary!
R = Rate Don’t read too quickly or too slowly. Pacing!
P= Phrasing Avoid “choppy” reading and pay attention to punctuation.
E = Expression Let your voice show the character or narrator’s personality and emotions.
There is no memorization. And acting comes through from the expressive reading of scripts.
Summarize The Story
A short statement of the most important points.
Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then
Storytelling
Go to 11:34
Mrs. H’s overall advice:
Pick a good story – not too long with action, good characters, conflict [funny and/or scary], that brings a clever, fun or surprise message. Folktales work best. Read three times*. Then storytell 3 times in front of a mirror. See what you keep forgetting. It’s okay to change the words and be spontaneous, just don’t change the heart of the story.
Preparation is Key
- Did you choose a good story?
- Is the plot sequence correct?
- Did you note where & how to add your gestures, voice, tone and pacing?
How to memorize the story
[ *according to master storyteller Robert Rubenstein/ see above video]
- Read once for action – what happens in the story
- Read once for the characters – what do they look like, how do the speak and behave
- Read once for the scene/setting – the smells, sounds and colors
Then you practice telling without reading the story till you get it down.
Practice Storytelling Techniques with the story
Voice Projection – can you be heard
Voice Clarity – can you be understood, narrative is important
Pacing & Tone – slow & fast, soft & loud, high & low -never flat
Characters: – different voices, turn body to show different character
Body Language: move body and hands and face to improve the telling
Audience Involvement: make eye contact
Have Fun
Resources