Tag Archives: conversation

What’s your Story? A Simple Storytelling Game

John Kirk is a storyteller and drama facilitator specialising in drama workshops and theatre for young people.As human beings have evolved we have developed an introspective (thoughtful) nature.  The ways in which we try to answer the bigger questions in our world is fascinating.  We have turned our minds to the sophistication of technology, we seek truth in theology and spiritual enlightenment but we also tell stories (what are fables and parables if they are not attempts to better understand our own nature and environment?).  Whether you are conscious of it or not, you fill your lives with stories and the ability to exchange stories is a big part of being human.  We fill our lives with narrative and take our turn at playing orator and audience.  Some stories we will tell are significant and some less so but I believe that storytelling is about more than art and communication, storytelling helps to define us.

When I work with a group I do so understanding that even the youngest participant has some notion of a story.  I doubt there is anybody in the world who doesn’t have a story to tell or cannot tell a story.  The work that I do concerns articulating that story better and helping participants to understand the mechanics of their narrative.

To demonstrate this I’d like you, the reader to play a game.  This will hopefully show you that a) everybody has a story to tell and b) everybody can tell a story.  Depending where you are reading this you may want to think about it for a little while, write your answer down or even share your answers over a dinner with friends and family.  My exercise is essentially a parlour game that I often use in workshops with young people and adults as an icebreaker but in this context we are using it to encourage open, honest introspective thinking about identity.  Please read the exercise and rather than saying “I have no idea” say “that’s tricky, let me think about that”.  I hope that you feel able to participate in the game and remember: we’re doing this on the internet – nobody is judging you.

John Kirk specialises in drama workshops and theatre for young people.“Think of one thing that most people know about you and one thing that less people know about you.”

Nobody is saying that telling a story is easy but these stories are about you.  You only share as much as is comfortable.  Don’t worry if the answer you have given seems more like a statement at the moment.  If I were in the room with you and you had given me a very short answer I would probe you with further questions.  Let’s pretend I’ve done that and tell me your stories.

Examples:

One thing most people know about me…

Short answer: I am a football nut.

Story:  I was raised on Manchester United before rejecting them for Wimbledon Football Club.  I was there for the sit ins at Selhurst Park when Wimbledon Football Club became Milton Keynes Dons.  Between 2002 and 2006 I visited the 92 football clubs that make up the football league.  Having moved to North London these days I will only turn Match of the Day on if either Arsenal or Manchester United have played.

One thing less people know about me…

Short answer: I have Burmese heritage.

John Kirk specialises in drama workshops and theatre for young people.Story: My Grandmother was born in Kalaw in the 1920s.  During the Second World War she met my Grandfather and once the war was over she left Burma and moved to the North West of England.  Opposition to the ruling military junta meant that until quite recently visitng Burma was out of the question.  In 2013 my Father, Uncle, Brother and I with our respective partners visited Kalaw and the Convent where my Grandmother was educated.

Storytelling is as much about listening and responding as it is about telling a story.  In each of my stories there are points of intrigue and potential common experiences which might draw further stories from the orator (doing the 92, a trip to Burma) or even draw stories from the audience (a love of sport, migration, family holidays etc).  If that’s the case with you don’t deny your audience a good story or a great conversation.

I hope you enjoy this little game and I hope it proves that we all have a story to tell – happy storytelling!