This is always a good time of year in which to reflect on where we've been and where we are going. It is also the perfect opportunity to plan ways to infuse our storytelling with extra "life." So, let's give it some CPR. C stands for Content; P stands for Performance; and R stands for Relationship. What do I mean? Read this column article to find out.
C stands for Content and it is time to look for ways to add life to our storytelling repertoire - our content. When was the last time you added some new stories to your storytelling repertoire? When we are busy telling stories on a regular basis, we can easily become comfortable with the stories we know well and those stories that are well received by our audiences. I am not suggesting that you change your entire program, but I am suggesting that to add life and enthusiasm to your storytelling, that you set a goal to add at least one new story every month. That doesn't sound like too lofty a goal, but finding and/or creating a new story takes quite a bit of time and effort. First we must do a great deal of searching to find the right story for us - remember, never tell a story that you don't love. Then we need to tweak and practice that story until it is "ours." In addition, I always wonder how my audience will react to a story that I haven't told to a group before. You have the advantage of your first-time enthusiasm for a new story, but the disadvantage of that many-time familiarity and smoothness of stories you have been telling for some time.
To add content pick a theme for your storytelling program. When we pick a theme, or are asked to tell stories that adhere to a special theme, we are forced to work on some new content. For example, I was just hired to do a program next March for a park system. Because they like to list the programs in an event brochure, they wanted me to pick a theme for my performance. Because that is just before April 1st, I chose "Trickster Tales ... and More." I already have a few trickster tales in my repertoire and am also aware of the abundance of many more. Plus we added the word "More" in case I want to stray a bit. I have time to start searching and even to write one of my own. What fun!
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