Visual vernacular is an art form combining elements of signing and mime to tell a story. Indigenous to deaf communities, it uses movement, cinematographic techniques, facial expressions, iconic signs (recognized across various sign languages and understood by non-signers). Sometimes considered the founder of visual vernacular, Bernard Bragg was the co-founder of the National Theater of the Deaf (NTD). The video below is him performing one of his most famous stories. Even if you don't know any signs, the story is easy to follow.
In telling a biblical story, consider how you convey what Doug Lipman names as the "Most Important Thing" (MIT)( in Improving Your Storytelling (Atlanta: August House, 2016), chapter 7), or essential message to an audience. What movements, gestures, or other visual pieces can/do you include that help to emphasize the meaning for all audiences and provide an invitation to those who don't speak and/or understand English or who primarily use non-spoken communication? What we say is enhanced and sometimes further understood by what we reveal with our expressions and body movements.
For more information on Visual Vernacular, read this Bachelor's thesis by Marieke van Brandwijk :
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