Activity

STORYTELLING THROUGH STILL IMAGES

Number of participants

Up to 20 participants

Objectives

● To develop creative non verbal expression.
● To foster collective thinking and creating.
● To present ideas creatively and collaboratively

Where does the activity take place within the process

Middle

Duration

60 minutes

Material needed

Preparation

Prepare the room/space so that it is as spacious as it can be, without obstacles.

Step by step description

1. Explain to participants that they will be telling a story through a series of still images.

2. Begin with a quick demo to illustrate how it works. Ask for 3 volunteers. Assign roles as a Fox, a Farmer, and a Chicken. Ask the volunteers to perform the following story in 3 still images:
1. Fox takes chicken
2. Farmer chases fox
3. Farmer shoots himself in the foot.

3. Then divide participants into groups of 6 or 7 and ask them to create 3 still images to illustrate a fairytale of their choice.

4. 10 minutes to prepare.
– Use furniture, props and costumes.
– Consider transitions from one image to the next (prop/costume can help here)

5. When preparation is complete, invite each group to perform their story for the other participants who will form the audience.
– Ask the audience participants to close their eyes as the group gets into position
– Count down ‘’3, 2, 1 Freeze, Open Eyes’’ to lend a theatrical touch.

6. Study each group image, questioning the audience to elicit responses.
Cycle of Life Tableaux

7. Invite participants to create a story using a Cycle of Life Tableaux

8. Ask participants to brainstorm the stages of a person’s life. Agree on four universal stages (e.g. childhood, adolescence, adulthood, senior or birth, childhood, adulthood, death).

9. Each group creates a series of images to show this life cycle. Each image should depict the essence of that stage of life. Ask participants to:
– Add a prop to the series that will be used in different ways in each tableau.
– Add an appropriate sound to accompany each image.
– Think about how they move from one image to the next.
– Aim for artistic transitions so the story flows.

10. When preparation is complete, each group performs their story.

11. Discuss each group’s performance. Focus on use of props, use of sounds and transitions.

Closing up

Ask participants questions:

● What drama techniques did you use to tell your story?
● Have you any suggestions on how to improve the telling of the story?
● Do you think the use of images is a good way to tell a story? Why?
● How do you think the knowledge you gained from this exercise would help you perform a scene?

Resources

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Comments / hints for facilitators

This activity builds on participants' experience of creating a still image. Telling a story through still images and discussing other group’s creations enables participants to recognise that stories and situations can be represented and interpreted in a range of ways.