Storytelling (event)

Storytelling is a Stoa speech event. For each tournament, a story category it selected. It could be as broad as “Historical Fiction”, or as narrow as “Swedish Fairy Tales from the 16th Century”. The competitors select stories that fit the tournament topic. The speech is not meant to be memorized, unlike other Stoa events, and the story should be told in the competitor’s own words. The competitor may also use a chair while telling the story.

Storytelling was one of the two Wildcard Events in Stoa’s 2012-2013 season. It has been renewed for the 2013-2014 season. 

Goal
The goal of a Storytelling speech is to learn to adapt to an audience and understand and use the techniques that good storytellers use to bring a story to life. The focus is less on the actions and abundance of characters, but more on the narrator and narration. 

Preparation Rules
Each tournament that hosts the Storytelling event will announce the Storytelling subject when registration opens. The topic can be as broad or as specific as the tournament director wishes.

The competitor will then choose a story to fit the assigned category. This story can only be entered in one category per tournament, and may not have been used for Storytelling in any previous tournament. The story the competitor chooses may not be used for Storytelling again during that year, but may be used in a different event at a later tournament. The competitor may change the storyline in order to make the story fit the time limit.

For script submission, the competitor must fill out the Storytelling form, which can be found on the Stoa website. This requires the title and source of the story, approval from the parent and coach, and a list of all stories used at previous tournaments during the current speech season.

Presentation Rules
The competitor may use a chair, which will be provided by the tournament. No other visual aids may be used other than this chair. The competitor must must wear tournament attire, and only feet may touch the floor at any time.

Near the beginning of the speech, the competitor must cite the author and source of his story. Failure to do so means the competitor will incur a 1-rank penalty. Singing and dancing is allowed, if it fits with the story. The speech is meant to be told in the competitor’s own words, and the student may change the wording from round to round. Memorization is actually not required, or even encouraged. Spontaneity is encouraged. Gratuitous vulgarity is forbidden.

No notes or script may be used by the competitor. If a script is used, the competitor will incur a 2-rank penalty. The time of the speech starts when the speaker begins speaking and ends when the speaker is finished. Speaking time limit is 8 minutes, and there is no minimum time. 

Script Submission
Storytelling competitors must fill out the Stoa Storytelling Submission Form. It is important to note that the competitor must list every story they’ve used at previous tournaments, and does not need a written script, unlike other Interpretive Events.

Primary Judging Areas
Storytelling is not meant to be judged for its blocking or varying characters. It instead focuses on the narrator. The goal is to have the narrator draw in the audience, almost like a person telling a campfire story. That ability to connect and adapt to the audience is what this event is all about. This doesn’t prevent the competitor from acting something out or using accents, but it encourages a greater focus on the narration. The use of the chair is also important to many judges. Many judges like to see competitors use variety while they speak. You can stand up, sit down, or do whatever you wish with the chair, even use it as a prop. Standing on the chair or throwing it around, however, is not usually advised or encouraged.