Storytelling Performance Skills

Storytelling Performance Skills

Voice Mechanics

Speaks with an appropriate volume for the audience to hear. Employs clear enunciation. Uses non-

monotonous, vocal expression to clarify the meaning of text. Understands speech rhythm. Can change voice to show change of mood and change of character in the

story being told.

Storytelling Performance Skills

Facial and Body Gestures

Expressively uses non-verbal facial, hand, and body gestures to clarify the meaning of text and the

introduction of character and setting. Uses movement to further attract audience attention to character or

setting.

Storytelling Performance Skills

Focus

Concentration is directed, clear, and continuous. Understands and uses eye contact to engage and direct

the audience. Uses movement and stage presence to enhance the story being told.

Storytelling Performance Skills

Characterization

Uses dialogue, props, and costume to make story, character, and setting believable. Understands the type

of voice and the modulation to be used for each character being portrayed in dialogue, action, or

reference.

Storytelling Performance Skills

Presence

Storyteller appears confident and comfortable in front of small or large audience. Knows how to make audience part of the story or to make the story

interactive. Is able to evaluate audience response and change presentation to meet this changing situation.

Storytelling Performance Skills

Spatial Techniques

Storyteller displays understanding of spatial relationships of the stage to character as well as the relationship of character to narrator. Storyteller uses

stage location to represent character and setting in the framework of the story to engage the audience.

Storytelling Performance Skills

Pacing

The story has a smooth step-by-step flow. The teller realizes the audience’s interest in the story and employs

high and low “excitement techniques” to keep the listener’s interest..

Storytelling Performance Skills

The Evaluation

The participants will create a 1-5 point rubric for each of the seven areas highlighted. The rubrics will identify Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Accomplished rating procedures. These ratings can be given to the presenter to construct and evaluate a performance.

Storytelling Performance Skills

An Example

Voice

Mechanics

Beginner Intermediate Advanced Accomplished Comments