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PD Course

Story Theatre

Created by Matt Webster

10 modules 1 hours, 23 minutes 2 Credit Hours

Instructor Matt Webster believes that Story Theatre is one of the most creative, most imaginative, most unique forms of theatre ever to make its way to the stage. His course introduces the style of theatre called story theatre, explores the steps needed to choose the best stories to perform, explains how to adapt a story into a script, and demonstrates a variety of story theatre styles from simple and contained to complex and crazy and everything in between.

When you are finished with this course, you’ll be able to bring nearly any story to any stage and present it to any audience. That is the power and promise of story theatre. Learn how to bring the page to the stage.

Link to the Story Theatre Toolkit

  1. 0
    Lesson 0
    Introduction
    3:55 FREE PREVIEW
    This module introduces the course material and lays out the plan for the subsequent lessons.
  2. 1
    Lesson 1
    Choosing Stories
    12:46 FREE PREVIEW
    This lesson explores what stories are best suited for adaptation into story theatre. Teachers will learn how to look for the kinds of stories that lend themselves to successful adaptation and performance.
  3. 2
    Lesson 2
    Adapting and Dramatizing Scripts
    5:49
    This lesson explores the process of adapting a story into a scripted form, and discusses the rules that maintain the integrity of the original story as it transforms into a performance piece.
  4. 3
    Lesson 3
    Narrators
    11:54
    This module dives deep into the power and perplexity of narrators and learn how to unleash that power as part of a unique performance style.
  5. 4
    Lesson 4
    Stories on Stools
    8:23
    This lesson explores bringing stories to their feet, or at least to their seat, discussing the building blocks of story theatre in a style of storytelling called stories on stools.
  6. 5
    Lesson 5
    Dialogue Strategies
    11:56
    In this module teachers learn that the voice of the story can come from onstage or off, from narrators or characters, or a combination of both.
  7. 6
    Lesson 6
    People as Props
    15:13
    In this module teachers learn a style of story theatre the instructor calls 'people as props', and it challenges performers to be both creative and complex. This module breaks the rules of proper theatre and pushes the boundaries of the audience’s imagination.
  8. 7
    Lesson 7
    Props
    3:57
    This lesson looks at alternative ways to dress your play through the use of imaginative props and scenery.
  9. 8
    Lesson 8
    Touring
    6:01
    This lesson will walk teachers through the process of taking your show on the road. Story theatre is designed to be portable, adaptable and flexible.
  10. 9
    Lesson 9
    In the Classroom
    3:32
    This lesson takes story theatre into the classroom and discusses all the ways it connects across the curriculum.

Standards Addressed

Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work - Grade 6

Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation - Grade 7

Organize and develop artistic ideas and work - Grade HS Accomplished

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