If you are a storyteller, a teacher, or someone who just loves to tell stories, you may some day be interested in starting your very own storytelling troupe for kids. I did! And if I could do it, trust me anyone can!
When I taught fifth grade, I founded my own troupe. Nothing like this had ever been offered to the kids. And the troupe was open to any fifth grader who wanted to join. The troupe averaged around 25 kids. Sometimes more. Sometimes less. I ran the troupe for ten years.
The troupe, of course, had different kids in it each year as the children moved on to sixth grade. But, let me tell you, word spread quickly and the kids in the upcoming classes knew about the troupe.
Not only did we perform our evening performance, but also the tellers got to perform at fifth-grade camp. They were so proud! And the children in the audience loved watching and listening. They laughed and cheered and clapped for the troupe.
Some of the kids had found a niche in their lives and, boy, did they shine! What a fantastic alternative for kids who needed something different or didn’t have an opportunity to participate in other activities for children. They were part of a group, and we even had our own T-shirts!
We met one day a week after school for several weeks and ended with an evening performance. The storytelling was combined with creative dramatics. Kids could choose to tell, act out story parts, introduce a story, greet people, and create posters.
Every child was important! And every child had the opportunity to choose what he or she wanted to do.
Why a storytelling troupe for kids? The answer to this question is so easy. Let me just give you a list:
It’s fun!
Open to all
Meet new friends
Listen to stories
Learn to tell stories
Be a teller or be an actor or both
Get on a stage! (They loved this one!)
Speak in a microphone. (Right up there with getting on the stage.)
Put on a show for family and friends
Build confidence and self-esteem
Public speaking (They didn’t even realize this one!)
(You don’t really need a stage or microphone. Your stage could be a back yard!)
Okay! Watch for the blog on how to get started.
Wearing My Storytelling T-Shirt
