Full article may be found at http://faculty.seattlecentral.edu/baron/Spring_courses/ITP%20261_files/ITP261BBASLStorytelling.htm
As I have included in other posts, ASL storytelling is more than a form of dramatic arts. It has an important role in teaching language, moral lessons and preserving history. Because ASL storytelling relies on what Brenda Liebman Aron calls "visual imagery," storytelling techniques rely on the effective use of hands and arms, facial expressions, and body movements. Many of the considerations for preparing space and planning what stories to share (awareness of the make-up of the audience, the purpose of the telling, and the message of the stories) are common to ASL and oral telling. For oral biblical storytellers, additional considerations of ASL storytelling can enhance the power of a story, regardless of the audience's primary way of receiving a language. The techniques below apply to any form of storytelling, and there are similarities between what is named here and sessions that are part of the Academy for Biblical Storytelling through the Network of Biblical Storytellers: https://www.nbsint.org/ Notes and reflections beyond the article are in italics.
Techniques Aron names in the article include:
A. Signing space: "Storytellers must remember to sign according to characters in the story." Use of physical space helps to differentiate between characters and their general proximity to each other.
B. Setting the Scene or "Stage: Aron notes that in addition to providing background on a story, tellers should create a visual image of the setting of story prior to beginning to tell it.
C. Characterization Set-Up(s): Prior to telling the story, identifying characteristics should be established (e.g. old, tall, nervous, etc.). For biblical stories, such identifying information may not be available. Whatever characterization is created may need to come through in the telling itself.
D. Period of Time: Again, for biblical storytellers, the time period is always going to be set in the past. However, it is valuable to understand and visually demonstrate the opening of a scroll, rather than reading a letter on paper as we know it today.
E. Role shifting: "Exaggerated than in normal conversation (sic), show the difference in character shifts by moving to a new area of floor space." This technique is connected to A and F.
F. Changing Perspectives: "From narrator to a character in the story to another character, be sure to show the difference in height by looking down to a smaller person/animal." Beyond physical differences, changing perspectives may involve a body posture and in oral telling, a different tone of voice.
G. Inanimate Objects: Shapes and sizes of objects are expressed through classifiers. Since most biblical stories don't include speaking non-humans (Balaam's donkey is an exception), this technique may not have as many immediate applications to biblical storytelling.
H. The 4 "E's":
1. Elaboration: Create a visual image for each character or object
2. Enhancement: Bring out identifying characteristics such as mannerisms, height, or emotions
3. Embroiderment: Take time to lay the foundation of a conflict and at times, exaggerate differences between characters.
4. Expression: This is key for character expression, emotion, shifting perspective, and all-around telling.
I. Timing: This refers to both relative time and pacing of a story. Tom Boomershine, in Story Journey: An Invitation to the Gospel as Storytelling, (Abingdon Press, 1988), helpfully notes the length of a sentence as a guide in pacing, suggesting that each sentence is the equivalent of a breath. A short sentence may be more deliberately delivered.
J. Audience Involvement: Pay constant attention to audience's responses and respond to their expressions and mood. Audience involvement can also mean including specific responses from the audience by asking questions or including members in a refrain. In storytelling, it has been said that without an audience, there is no story!
Aron continues by discussing various genres (folklore, folktale, mystery, romance, repetitive story-lines, etc). She then offers suggestions for getting started as a storyteller. Many of the tips are specific to ASL telling and/or non-biblical storytelling. However, some of the suggestions that may particularly apply to biblical storytelling include:
"Always pre-read and practice in front of a mirror"
"Tell stories from different genres to provide you with some practice in using different applications."
"Pantomime: Do not pantomine the whole story. Pantomiming is okay if it is relation to the character or the characteristics." There is a delicate balance between simply pure storytelling and acting.
"Storytelling should be an enjoyable experience so ENJOY!" Amen!
Aron concludes the article with reasons why it is important to carry on traditions of storytelling to deaf youth. As biblical storytellers in a culture that is becoming ever more biblically illiterate, storytelling is an especially important and effective way to transmit our faith tradition from one generation to another.