A word for storytellers and actors about storytelling–telling stories on and off stage

A word for storytellers and actors about storytelling–

by KEVIN CORDI on

Storytellers are the first actors. Before there were set designs, lighting plots, or directors, storytellers were telling stories.

Storytellers are the first actors. Before there were set designs, lighting plots, or directors, storytellers were telling stories.

Skillfully positioned words handled by a crafty raconteur steered the audience’s attention. An African Griot might use stories to warn children to exibit common sense. From the foolish antics of the wild spider Anansi, children learn to think more about their choices.

From the dynamic and vibrant tones of a master bard, the epic tale of Beowulf chilled the fires. It, too, was because of the storyteller‘s voice and deliberate actions that Grendel was able to strike the warriors.

This talented epic teller recounted the battle as though it was occurring as the listeners heard it. He set the scene. From the Seannachai in Ireland to the Jack teller of the Appalachian Mountains, storytellers are rooted within our culture.

The nurse at the bed side often became a storyteller to soothe the pain of unhealthy or scared soldiers. Often times, storytellers were the community elders. In fact, becoming a storyteller was seen as a rite of passage. As an African proverb suggests, one can never die if you told theirr story. Storytellers were positioned to keep the tales alive.

My students as actors.

Today, there are thousands around the world who call storytelling their profession. I, too, am a storyteller and for the past twenty five years, have studied storytelling both from the oral tradition and through formal study as well. My first storytelling influences were my parents who shared Appalachian tales and personal stories from their homes in West Virginia. I sat spell bound, mesmerized as our living room became the theater for me as well as my five brothers and sisters.

My Storytelling Mother

My mother would recount each tale, without props or scenery, of how grandfather West killed the giant black snake. We hung on every word as much as the dead snake hung at the end of the pitch fork. Stories were my theater. I wanted to learn more. I then earned a Master’s degree in Storytelling and Education combining work from the University of Akron and East Tennessee State University. With the guidance of Dr. Flora Joy and countless others, I learned to soak into what noted teller Jay O’Callahan calls “theater of the mind.”

We learned how to unfold each story so that it was not only heard but experienced by the audience. We explored the importance of silence, transitions, and effect. Most importantly, we began to understand storytelling as an art, like acting, was a practiced discipline.

In theater, actors play out consistent roles and may use props.

During this time, I also learned the formal art of theater. I was also able to train as an actor at Kent State University and working at The Pioneer Playhouse, a summer stock program in Kentucky. At Kent, I learned to position myself so that I could physically open up to the actors that I worked with and work with them to compliment scenes.

The way I was blocked could have a dramatic effort on the play. I had to physically stand so the audience had an inside view of what was going on the stage. I learned how to focus the work so that one could see the scenes in connection to the play. My summer stock experience further trained me to value objectives and obstacles that are inherent in character and scene work. I starkly remember how each actor had a new way to prepare. From the crazy, I remember one actor putting a metal trash can on his head to check his voice to the time when an actor was given two days to learn the work of the lead actor in Look Homeward Angel in the event the lead did not show. I starkly remember how we all worked together to enrich the experience. We labored over questions such as “what physical or mental obstacles were in the way? and “How did the character add to the themes?” Every night that we performed, the audience reacted differently to our choices. I learned that an effective actor needs to learn from these reactions as they develop the work of the character in relation to the play.

As a storyteller, I value the characters that I create for my audience. No matter how small the role as an actor, one must find a way to tell the story of your work. Each character is always in connection with the experience of the play.

An actor commands the stage. A storyteller units the stage to direcly include the audience. Each art can learn from each other. What is important is that the connection is real.

Please share your story or theater experience and provide some advice on how it guiding you in the arts. We are listening.

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