Story Theatre
What is story theatre?
Story theatre is a kind of performance that combines narration, acting, pantomime, and storytelling. The
performance uses these techniques to present either familiar stories (such as fairy tales, folk tales, myths) or
original stories to the audience.
Styles of Story Theatre:
1. Basic story theatre. Story tellers present familiar stories, using a combination of narration, dialogue scenes, and
pantomime. Some elements of this style include:
 Breaking the fourth wall
 Multiple narrators
 Some real and some mimed props
 Broad characterizations
 Character voices
2.
Stories on Stools: A style of story theatre in which the performers mostly stay on stools. Entrances and exits are
executed by the performers simply turning on their stools towards or away from the audience. This is a good
performance option when dealing with limited space.
 When turning towards or away from the audience, always follow the right shoulder around.
 Split focus: Two or more performers can, from their stools, create a multitude of locations and levels that
are achieved by where they concentrate their gazes in space. This can also show the relationship of the
performers in space, even if they are simply seated next to each other.
3.
People as Props: A complicated, but visually exciting form of story theatre in which the performers create the
characters, physical environment, action, and props involved in the story with their bodies. This is a great style
when you have many performers.
4.
Narrative Pantomime: In this style, one or more narrators tells the story and the performer mime the actions of
the story. All performers other than the narrator(s) are silent. A great style of story theatre for young performers
or audiences, or with familiar stories.
Techniques that can be used with most styles of story theater:
1. Front to audience, back to audience. Depending on where an actor is facing, he/she can become invisible or
leave the scene simply by turning around. ALWAYS used in Stories on Stools, but can also be used effectively in
other styles.
2. Call and Respond: (This one cannot be used in Narrative Pantomime). The narrator tells the story and feeds the
lines to the performers, who immediately repeat the line. Variations include the narrator saying the whole line,
which the performer then repeats; the narrator beginning the line and letting the performer finishing it; or the
narrator setting up the line, but stopping just as the performer speaks.
3. Travel: By creating a pattern in the space available, whether sitting on stools or moving freely about the
space, performers can give the impression of travelling from one location to another, or leaving and coming
back, if the story calls for it.
What kind of stories can be told using story theatre techniques?
Uncomplicated or familiar stories work best. These can be fairy tales, fables, folk tales, tall tales, children’s stories or
books, moral tales, nursery rhymes, myths, or uncomplicated original stories.