In this weeks session, the key focus was the use of storytelling and the creation of a narrative for the purpose of performance. One opinion of storytelling was that the context of where the story is being told is fundamental to whether it can be considered highly performative or not. The somewhat menial example of ‘someone telling their friends a story’ in an informal setting may not be considered a performance, as it lacks a certain level of skill and finesse. Where storytelling can be considered an art is when the individual elements of the story are produced in a theatrical function. The difference between contexts allow for storytelling to become a ‘show’, rather than simply a recital of information.
This isn’t to say that’s storytelling isn’t inherently performative, as it is an activity where you present yourself and your ideas to a spectating ‘audience’. According to the fundamentals of Schechner, to ‘perform’ is to “show off, to go to the extremes, to underline an action for those watching” (Schechner, 2013, 28). Therefore, it can be seen that there is merit in storytelling as an art form regardless of where it is set. Comparisons between ‘the theatrical’ storytelling and relax storytelling is simply only the location in which they are set and the conventions which are applied to them.
In light of discovering my keen interest in comedic performance when researching after the previous session, I decided to look into comedic theatrical storytelling. This is what I aim to achieve within my post-workshop research next week.
WANT: To explore the impact of storytelling and how it relates to Verbatim Theatre. To also research comedic storytelling and how it can become theatrical.
LEARNT: That storytelling is an art form regardless of its context, it is simply viewed differently depending on where it is set and the skills set behind the telling.
EXPERIENCE: My experience with storytelling work has been positive. It isn’t a style I had previously considered for solo performance, but there is such merit to using both your own and other peoples stories to create a theatrical spectacle.
Works Cited
Schechner, R. (2013) Performance Studies: An Introduction. London: Routledge.