The Story Theater Story- Crafting eWorkbook

Doug Stevenson
Cornelia Press (2005)
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (1/07)

Doug Stevenson’s “The Story Theater Story-Crafting eWorkbook” goes hand in hand with his book “Never Be Boring Again: Make Your Business Presentation Capture Attention, Inspire Action, and Produce Results.”  Mr. Stevenson also suggests that you “purchase and listen to the ‘Story Theater Six Pack’ audio learning system.”  “You cannot learn vocal delivery and comedic timing from a book.”  This is a priceless tool for public speaking.  This eWorkbook is designed so that you can write your answers right in the workbook or you can type in the words on your computer.

“The difference between Story Theater and traditional storytelling is the Tell part.” Most storytellers stand outside the story when telling it.   With the Story Theater method you relive the story, bringing it to life for your audience.  You use detail, sensation and reaction to convey the images to your listeners.  “Story Theater is a synthesis of acting comedy, improvisation, storytelling and business presentation skills rolled into one.’”

There are five basic principles of Story Theater:

1.  Step In and Out of the story.  Stepping in is the present tense stepping out is past tense.  Using both brings the story to life and captivates the audience. 

2.  Use more than verbal language.  There are times when silence speaks more than words.  It’s the space between the words that makes the difference between boring and enchanting.

3.  Memorize and script your stories, rambling will lose your audience.

4.  Each story should contain a point. 

5.  “Each storyteller is both an actor and a teacher.”

Doug Stevenson is a very gifted speaker.  His delivery is dynamic.  Listening to him was fascinating.  He explains his Story Theater method in a way that is simple enough that anyone can understand it.  The workbook is superbly laid out in a manner that will assist the speaker in preparing their presentation.  I intend to make the most of Mr. Stevenson’s advice to develop my next story.  I highly recommend “The Story Theater Story-Crafting eWorkbook” to all speakers.  No matter in what capacity you may be in public speaking you will benefit from this series.

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