Storytelling Technology for Business Professionals
The Story Theater Method is a unique approach to choosing, developing and delivering stories that make a point, teach a lesson, or sell a product or service. It is a combination of principles, techniques and disciplines for the strategic use of stories in a business context. It covers the entire process of story selection, story writing and crafting, and story delivery. These stories can be used one-on-one, in small groups or in front of thousands of people. The Story Theater Method is the science of the art of storytelling in business.
The “theater” part of Story Theater is what sets this method apart. We start with the architecture of the story – form and structure. For this aspect of storytelling, I draw on my experience performing Shakespeare. Next, I draw on various acting skills. Depending on the story, I utilize disciplines from method acting, improvisation, and comedy. Finally, I mix in business presentation skills to drive home the point of the story.
In short, Story Theater combines the best aspects of acting, comedy and good storytelling and uses them in service of a business message. It is a blend of the practical and the theatrical. As a result of utilizing the Story Theater Method, speakers, trainers and business professionals give more interesting and memorable presentations.
Within the context of presentation skills training, Story Theater is the advanced level. Most speakers who experience it say that it is the most practical and intuitive approach to speaking that they have ever experienced. Make note however: what I teach contradicts much of the stifling and counterintuitive “bad-advice” you may have been taught about speaking. Like good film acting, it challenges you to be real, authentic and honest.
The three components of the Story Theater Method
Choosing the right story
Developing and writing the story
Performing the story
Each of the three components is critical to achieving your desired outcome. In the context of a business presentation, a story is a tool. You choose the right story just as you would choose the right tool for the job. Having chosen the right story, it is then crafted using The Nine Steps of Story Structure to ensure that it has all of the elements of a compelling story, in the correct order. Without the proper sequence, your audience may find it hard to follow you. Finally, the performance of the story will either make or break the effectiveness of the story. A poor, sloppy or undisciplined performance will negate all of the work that went before. A brilliant, polished Story Theater story will be entertaining, engaging, effective and memorable.
The Application
This method is primarily for speakers, trainers and business professionals. It is designed to make you more effective at influencing others through the use of stories. It will help you with important speeches and presentations in critical situations where you have to hit a home run. Use the method to:
Develop a story that makes a targeted point
Frame an abstract idea or concept
Build rapport with your audience through stories
Move beyond content delivery to true connection
Stimulate emotion thereby evoking participation
Access the intuitive imagination of your listeners
Be perceived as smooth, polished and professional
Impress others while influencing them to see your point
Entertain and add humor to a speech or presentation
Blow people away!
An Acting Class for Non-Actors
It is not my intention to turn business professionals into stage actors. It is my intention however to expand the dramatic and comedic range of my students by accessing their hidden acting talent. Most people have the requisite skills to do this work, if they are given proper direction. That is what I provide – positive coaching and knowledgeable direction.
Most of us use acting skills on a daily basis without being aware of it. It’s my job to show you how to use your abilities in service of your message. With my coaching and direction, everyone expands. That’s what acting class is all about.
The History
Story Theater started in Denver in 1994, with a showcase speech for the Colorado Speakers Association. I performed my (now somewhat famous), “Streaking Story.” Rather than simply narrating the story, I acted it out. Without realizing it, I was using the acting skills I had learned in my over two decades of theater experience. Over the next few years, my fellow professional speakers kept commenting on how my approach to storytelling was very different and unique. They asked me if I could teach them what I was doing.
I went home and designed a two-day workshop. Nine people attended. They raved. I did another one…and another. Soon I was doing retreats all over the United States, and in 2003 I started doing them in London and Dublin, as well. By 2004, I had conducted over 70 retreats, and more than 500 people had graduated from the Story Theater Retreat, five or six people at a time.
The Story Theater Method takes the mystery out of the question: What goes into the crafting and delivery of a great story?
The Creator of the Method – Doug Stevenson
The Story Theater Method is my brainchild, my invention, my most genuine expression. For 16 years I was a professional actor in Chicago and Los Angeles. I performed on stage in everything from Snoopy in You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown to Puck in a Midsummer Nights Dream and Danny Zuko in the 1970 world premier of the hit musical GREASE in Chicago. I also acted in small roles in movies and TV and did a few TV commercials.
In 1985 I left acting and Hollywood behind and began the next chapter of my life in Colorado Springs. Having owned a successful carpentry and remodeling business in Hollywood, I decided that becoming a real estate agent would make sense and allow me to continue to put my knowledge of construction to use for my clients. (To be honest, I was tired of unloading drywall and hundreds of pounds of lumber from my truck!) I was a Realtor for eleven years, eventually owning my own real estate brokerage, Sherlock’s Homes.
I gave my first paid speech in 1989 and began the transition to professional speaking in 1994.
After a few years I was well on my way to a full time keynote speaking career, giving keynotes on change, leadership and customer service. By 2001, Story Theater had become so popular that I decided to change my focus. The demand for this new speaking and storytelling technology and the popularity of my private coaching has filled my calendar and my life ever since.
In addition to Story Theater Retreats, I conduct customized train-the-trainer workshops for corporations worldwide, including Hewlett Packard, Oracle Corporation, Bristol Myers-Squibb, Abbott Labs, The Irish Management Institute, Junior Achievement and others.
One motivational keynote from my earlier days in speaking still remains popular and I still love doing it. It is The Positive Power of Change – Elevate Your Attitude. I have performed it over 100 times from Anchorage to Orlando. My change clients include State Farm, Maytag, John Deere, The Department of Defense, Rocky Mountain Electrical League, Century 21, The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Compuware, The Physician Insurers Association of America, AAA, Volkswagen of America, Aetna Insurance, and many more.
All site contents copyright Doug Stevenson, except where otherwise noted. No reproduction of site content, in part or in whole, in any form or medium including electronic transmission, is allowed without the express permission of the author.
