Performing Arts

What's happening in the Performing Arts room?...

Storytelling Around the World

This term, we will dive into the art of storytelling, exploring its rich traditions, meanings, and techniques across cultures.

Students will bring stories to life through movement, voice, rhythm, and character. They will discover how storytelling helps us express emotions, understand perspectives, and create meaningful connections, while exploring the power of performance to deepen narratives and engage audiences in powerful ways.

Storytelling in Hawaii

Our storytelling journey began with an exploration of Hawaiian culture, where students discovered the deep significance of the hula, beyond dance. They learned that hula serves as a powerful form of storytelling, allowing Hawaiians to preserve their history, beliefs, and myths—especially during times when their language was suppressed. Through the story of Pele, the Fire Goddess, students saw how movement can shape a narrative, just as Pele’s fiery power shaped the Hawaiian Islands. By learning traditional hula steps like kaholo, hela, and ami, they experienced firsthand how rhythm and gesture bring stories to life. They also created their own fire-inspired movements, showcasing how storytelling can transcend words. This experience helped students appreciate the importance of cultural traditions while developing their own creative storytelling skills through movement and music.

Storytelling in Africa

Continuing our storytelling journey, the students explored the rich tradition of oral storytelling in African culture. They discovered that, much like hula in Hawaii, African storytelling is more than just words—it is a vibrant, immersive experience that incorporates music, dance, and rhythm to bring stories to life. Students learned about the role of griots, the revered storytellers of West Africa, and how instruments like the djembe drum, kiss kass, and agogo bell help to convey emotions, build suspense, and engage the audience. The students participated in the retelling of Anansi and the Talking Drum and other similar tales, using African instruments and voice effects to enhance the story. This experience deepened their appreciation for the way storytelling in African cultures fosters connection, preserves history, and imparts valuable life lessons across generations.

Keep up the great work everyone!

Sherree Vulling

Performing Arts Teacher