The art of storytelling is something that has passed through the ages. History is made of stories that have been passed down through the generations.
In our workshop we had a challenge to talk for a minute about a memory or moment in our life.
We would remake Spalding Gray’s style of sitting behind a desk and talking to an audience.
I chose the subject of my brother and I going to Manchester to see Panic! At The Disco live as we had both recently bonded over the bond after years of not having much in common and being quite distant. It was the first time we’d both been allowed to go somewhere of great distance without any supervision. Due to the train times we couldn’t get the late train back and decided to book a hotel, spend the Friday in Manchester and get the afternoon train back to Wales.
After arriving too early to book into our hotel we decided to sit on the food court balcony and get a warm drink as the weather was miserable. It was after some nice chatting about what we both plan to do with ourselves as we’re at crucial stages in our lives that I received a text from my mum saying my brother’s high school have messaged informing parents of a Science ISA exam that attendance is mandatory for taking place on the Friday. My brother swore he knew nothing about it, a little later he said his teachers had told him it would be next Friday. We eventually pried the truth out of him and he had known about the exam but was worried Mum would say he couldn’t attend the concert because of it.
Due to this we attended the concert but then had three hours sleep, had to get the five o’clock train back to Flint from Manchester. Sat in the abandoned Manchester Piccadilly Station for half an hour then got onto an empty train with the other early risers attending their jobs. Our mum picked us up from station at 7am only for us to realise the signed poster from the lead artist was missing. I still won’t forgive him for the mess up he caused. Although he did make it to the exam on time.
Through this story I intended to tell the story about the relationship between my brother and I and how the first big bonding moment between us was ruined (or at least an experience) due to his lack of organisation.
Spalding Gray took moments from his life and told them to an audience. I attempted the same by taking an event from my life and opening up to an audience about it. Even if it hadn’t been as confessional as some of his work, it was still a prominent moment in my life and something I probably will never forget.
However in our workshop we did an exercise which involved asking and answering personal questions. It was interesting to see how you opened up to different people depending on how well you associate with them. Although I answered every question the feeling of vulnerability and being uncomfortable was noticeable within myself. It was an interesting challenge which pushed the boundaries at some point.
I think that is a key part to storytelling to open up to your audience as it forms a bond of trust between you and them. It also makes it engaging and if it is true and a genuine experience you are able to deliver it more naturally that if you were making it up.
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