Most people are nervous of improvisation because it means uncertainty and the chance of disaster, but improvisation is at the heart of excellent storytelling. Although if you’re thinking that improvisation means making up stories, you’re jumping in at the deep end. Let’s look at which of the three types you’re already using.
- Choosing what story to tell your audience. This improvisation is standard practice in many oral traditions. Although many storytellers plan this choice in advance, hoping their story will work, the magic of storytelling is in the moment. So if you face your audience, feel their mood, and trust in inspiration, then you can choose the right tale for that moment. This does mean you need a good repertoire that you know well enough, so it’s not for beginners.
- Expressing your story. The heart of oral storytelling is the live, authentic sharing of a satisfying experience. Storytellers prepare by getting to know the essence of a story well, not memorising words. Then you can allow it to unfold freshly in the moment, finding the right words, feelings, and even new creative details as you go. This type of improvisation is natural if you are fully immersed in the story and responsive to your audience. Our literary world conditions us to focus on ‘right words’ and slick presentation. But the more you trust the oral story and your imagination, the easier it is to lead yourself and your audience on an adventure.
- Making up a story on the spot. This is more a game than a traditional storytelling practice, and most storytellers never do it, especially in performance. But it can be thrilling to do and hear, if done well. This most challenging type of improvisation requires a very sound grasp of story structure, storytelling dynamics, and experience in satisfying audiences with well-expressed stories. Without the proper foundation, fully improvised stories are likely to feel woolly, unsatisfying, and directionless.
Just like a jazz musician practicing scales, honing your storytelling skills and repertoire will give confidence and beauty to your improvisation. Start with folktales, already well structured and crafted over centuries, and let inspiration guide you from there.