Storytelling is believed to be the roots of all theatre, a community’s way of passing on cultures, stories, and traditions of the past, it's one of the many types of variety shows. Many believe that storytelling originated with the Indians and Native Americans. In storytelling all of the fundamental elements of theatre are contained; a performed, audience, characters, and narrative. With a narrator who takes on voices and fully embellishes the character that they are performing. Through the stories told, lessons our ancestors learned in history and past mistakes are passed on to us. In many African cultures storytelling is a very important way to educate while providing entertainment to the community.
The narrator's imagination has to be creative and strong; especially when song, dance, drumming, and acting can be interwoven into performances. The narrator is the most important person involved in storytelling because a good storyteller will capture our attention take on the characters in a believable fashion.
Some of the famous stories ever told are: Hansel and Gretel, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, Rumpelstiltskin, and Rapunzel.
An example of a modern day story teller is the stand up comedian Gabriel Iglesias, who uses storytelling with well known characters and sound effects in his acts. Below is a video in which Gabriel tells a story about a road trip he was on with some friends. Gabriel Iglesias is known for using the same characters in all of his performances; his girlfriend, his girlfriend's son Franky, Phillipe, to name a few.
Often a narrator will change the plot, characters or different aspects of the story in order for the younger generation to better understand and relate to the lesson being told.
An example of a modern day story teller is the stand up comedian Gabriel Iglesias, who uses storytelling with well known characters and sound effects in his acts. Below is a video in which Gabriel tells a story about a road trip he was on with some friends. Gabriel Iglesias is known for using the same characters in all of his performances; his girlfriend, his girlfriend's son Franky, Phillipe, to name a few.
The stories told can be those of a wide variety, from personal stories, to solo stories, and stories of the community.
"Road Trip" -Gabriel Iglesias. 2 May 2010. 2011 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtk5Ej-xLsM>.
Inc, Fluffy. Gabriel Iglesias. 2009-2011. 2011 <http://www.fluffyguy.com/>.
"Storytelling and Cultural Tradition." Orenstein, Mira Felner and Claudia. The World of Theatre. Boston, Mass.: Pearson Education Inc., 2006.
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteAll of your storytelling information come from the book. I need you to dig deeper, search further. This doesn't really move beyond my lecture.
You mention famous stories, but this isn't resolved or tied to "storytelling" very clearly. You just say that they are "told." This isn't very specific.
If you introduce Iglesias, tell me more about him... this just scratches the surface. Can you analyze him further?