Storytelling/ Drama Basics

Begin with Theater Games 

[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]

  1. Read once for action – what happens in the story
  2. Read once for the characters – what do they look like, how do the speak and behave
  3. 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

Drama Games for Kids

Drama Notebook

Drama Resource

Theater Warm Up Games from Ford Theater

Pixar explains Storytelling Khan Academy

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