1. Experiencing the Arts: STORYTELLING
NL Studies 2205

2. Storytelling is an art form used in all cultures.
It is a way in which we can preserve our culture and heritage.
It is an example of oral history – a way to pass traditions/stories from generation to generation.

3. “The art of storytelling was very much alive when I was a child in Newfoundland. We had a whole community of storytellers... . Not only were their tales entertaining, but they chronicled the lives of our ancestors by way of the spoken word in songs, recitations, poetry and drama.
...it’s only now that I’m older I fully realize how important storytelling is to our heritage, for it helps define who we are as individuals.”
-Lucy Fitzpatrick-McFarlane, writer

4. The Woodcutter – Dale Jarvis

5. Origin of Death - Dale Jarvis

6. Smoke Room on the Kyle

7. Storytelling: Traditions in Newfoundland and Labrador
One of our oldest art forms
Common pastime before television and computers came on scene
The art of using words to convey the elements and images of a story to an audience
Folks tales, local legends and recitations
Recounted from memory rather than being read from print.

8. Two storytelling traditions in NL
Private tradition: stories told in a small group or in a private home.
Public tradition: part of an evening’s entertainment.
Today there are several organizations that are promoting the art of storytelling and to help collect and record stories . This is being done to help preserve our culture and heritage.

9. Telling Your Story
1. Know the plot of your story really well. 2. Speak clearly 3. Use gestures and body language to convey ideas. This is important to engage the listener who will use his or her imagination to visualize the images the storyteller is describing. 4. Use different voices to portray different characters if possible. 5. Practise, practise, practise. The better you know your story, the better you will be able to tell it.

10. Evolution of Storytelling
Stories are adapted to suit the audience and setting.
In Newfoundland: Many of our traditional stories originated from English, Irish, Scottish and French traditions and have been modified to reflect our environment.
Disney movies sanitize fairy tales so that they are suitable for a younger audience (sometimes eliminating the dark themes and villians).

11. Assignment
Find a traditional work (poem, short story, ghost story, etc.) or create your own story. Re-tell the story and record yourself on video, making the story you own using the following storytelling techniques:
1. Know the plot of your story really well.
2. Speak clearly
3. Use gestures and body language to convey ideas. This is important to engage the listener who will use his or her imagination to visualize the images the storyteller is describing.
4. Use different voices to portray different characters if possible.
5. Practice, practice, practice. The better you know your story, the better you will be able to tell it.

12. ACTIVITY Let’s make NL stories out of children’s stories!
Find your group members!

13. Step 1: Take a well-known children’s story and put a Newfoundland twist to it. Change the names, place names, food, language, etc., to reflect Newfoundland. Little Red Riding Hood The Three Little Pigs Goldilocks and the Three Bears

14. Step 2: Assign roles to your group members
Step 2: Assign roles to your group members. If you have more group members than roles, you have a few options: -divide a role amongst two people -use the remaining members as live props -add in another character If you do not enough people in your group : - have one person do 2 roles

15. Step 3: Practice your role with your group, after which you will present your story to the class. Remember! -Get into character (voice, gestures, etc) - Speak clearly