Behind The Scenes In The Life Of A Storyteller by Marian Giannatti

As someone who has only recently “arrived” as a storyteller, I have many friends and acquaintances who are confused or wondering at how and why I do it - tell stories, that is. It is not always easy to explain. The why is the simplest. I do it because I love it. I love picking a story, learning it, making it my own, making it come alive through my voice and body. Most of all, I love watching my audience when they “get” it, when they feel the energy I feel while creating the lifeblood of the words and images. Quite simply, it’s magic.

Storytelling magic is like no other. When one is involved as a teller or listener, one becomes part of an ancient continuum of sharing culture, beliefs, history, and the values of humankind wrapped up in the ancient, oral tradition. It is so much more than reading a book - it is alive, fresh, and it happens in the here and now. I suppose it is a natural step for me, as a former dance artist, because dance is also a fleeting, temporal form of art. Even when committed to film or video - it is never more alive than when seen and heard in the moment of its creation. Every story, no matter how many times told, not matter how many times heard, is an act of creation each and every time.

The above defines my reasoning of the why, but the how is a matter that is deeply individualistic, uniquely crafted by each teller in his or her own way. How do I do it? I learned wonderful techniques for learning a story at The South Mountain Community College Storytelling Institute. I learned about breaking stories into chunks; dividing the story into a beginning, middle and end. I learned to focus on the people, the place, the problem, the progress, the point - and all the other time-honored techniques that great storytellers learn. I learned to open my heart and mind to allow a story to choose me, and to beg to be told. I also learned to put on hold a story that intrigued, yet alluded me to allow it percolate until it was ready to be learned. Stories let you know when they are ready . . . that’s part of the magic too. This is all very basic, preliminary work. Bringing a story to life and making it one’s own, is different for each storyteller.

I was asked how I could recall detailed sequences of descriptive events. I went with my first reaction when I framed my response. I look for the rhythm in the words. How do they resonate, where are the highs and lows, the changes in tempo? How can I alter a phrase, how can I add to or subtract from a phrase to make it rhythmically respond to my inner instincts? The arrangement is then seen in my mind’s eye as movement. Sometimes after reading a story a few times and getting a feel for the rhythm, I stand and allow the movement and gesture to come out naturally. I don’t choreograph, I just let it happen. When I do this, I don’t speak aloud - I simply see the action of the story while I move to the rhythmic phrasing. I react to most emotions and visualizations with movement, it is part of who I am, so it works with my learning of a story. I think this enhances the telling because it is fluid. Some people sing, I move. To be most effective as a teller, one must honor the story and be genuine in the telling. I tell kinesthetically.

Lastly, I “see” the movie clearly in my head. I know what my character’s faces look like, what they wear, what their expressions and gestures are, and of course, the way they move. This makes them real to me - and because of it, I have no difficulty placing them in a setting that is natural and believable. When I tell, the movie is playing in front of me, as if in virtual reality - I see the movie, but I also very clearly see the audience and I’m aware of their expressions and body language. This awareness tells me when to step it up, or when to edit, when to pause for emphasis, and when to draw out a phrase. Lastly, I project my “story aura” over the audience - enfolding them in my vision of the story and inviting them to take the journey with me. It might sound a little strange, but I can literally see the audience in my bubble when I tell. This is what inspires me to keep learning, to keep telling, to keep sharing the magic of stories

Comments

[Leah]

Hi Marian! I loved how you compared storytelling to dance--and how both are temporal creative acts. What a great illustration! It is so cool how you integrated your kinesthetic art with storytelling as well. - Leah

[Crystal Gale]

I too pondered your comparisons between dance and storytelling. Thank-you for sharing.

[Sally Borg]

Let nobody wonder, ever again, why Marian tells stories! I love your enthusiasm and creativity.

[Marilee Lasch]

I love how you dissected the whole journey into your life as a story teller. With that much background of searching and thinking I am sure you'll be a complete success.

[Elizabeth Wunsch]

Story is now your dance. Your movement has translated it's magic into your stories. It's all cellular and will never leave you, just expand into other areas of creativity.Bravo!