If you’re new to oral storytelling, it can seem overwhelming to face an audience with your story – there’s too much to think about! How can you cut through any confusion about what to do? The storytelling triangle makes clear the key elements necessary for the magic of storytelling to happen.
The Three Points of the Triangle:
- The Teller
As the storyteller, you are bringing the tale, and your audience, to life through your words, expressions, and delivery. But you don’t need lots of skill before you can engage people. Your main obstacle will be self-consciousness, so remember: the story is the star people are watching, not you. Pay complete attention to the other points of the triangle – that will leave you no time to worry about yourself!
- The Audience
Your audience are not just passive listeners – they are active participants whose reactions and energy influence the storytelling experience. Pay attention to whether they seem engaged, confused, or restless, and adjust your pace and energy accordingly. Leave room for their active imagination by avoiding giving justifications or lots of details. You will disappear because they want to be lost in the story, so they won’t be judging you.
- The Story
A traditional oral tale will carry you, even when you’re just learning to tell. It fits the mind, has a plot that flows, and is easier to remember. Don’t be tempted to tell a literary tale, or a folktale that has been rewritten into literary language. These burden you with the task of memorising crafted words, unnecessary description, and character psychology – none of these are needed in an oral tale that has already proved popular for centuries without them. Start with a five-minute folktale and let it teach you how to tell. Rehearse it just by imagining and feeling it. If you know the plot, you’ll find fresh and natural words in the moment to express it with. Trust yourself! Trust the story to carry you.
Bringing It All Together
When you have all these three together, live, you create a connection between the teller, the audience, and the story itself. Without this connection, true storytelling can’t even happen. For instance you can rehearse a story on your own, but when you share it with an audience it can feel so different you’ll wonder if you rehearsed a different story.
You can use this storytelling triangle later to focus working on your skills and deepen your presence. But for now just enjoy being open to whatever happens in the moment. All of it is the real storytelling, because all three of you are in this together.