Happy Friday and welcome back to Storytelling School with The Moth. Because of social distancing in response to COVID-19, a large number of schools all around the world are closed, so The Moth’s Education program is publishing these storytelling activities to help parents and educators with some at-home curriculum. See you next Tuesday, and as always, thanks for your support!
The story is:
“The Prom” by Dante Jackson
You can read the transcript of Dante’s story here.
After you’ve watched and read the story, you can do the following activities:
1. Talk to each other about Dante’s story.
For each post, we’ll highlight a different crafting strategy for how to make your story compelling. For this post, we’ll focus on CHANGE. At The Moth, we believe change is what separates a story from an anecdote. Something has to change for the storyteller so that their world or their perspective is different from the beginning to the end. That change can be huge or very small, as long as it matters to the storyteller.
How does Dante show us how he is changed by the events of this story? What details does he tell us at the beginning that help us understand why this dance is so significant for him?
What can we learn about who Dante is now from his performance of this story?
What do you notice about the structure or sequence of this story? Can you map it out in ‘chapters’? How does the structure of the story help show us how Dante has changed?
2. Let’s Play “Have You Ever”
Raise your hand if…
You’ve ever been to a dance?
You’ve ever seen someone you’ve known your whole life in a new way?
You’ve ever had a parent or guardian embarrass you?
You’ve ever learned something new about yourself?
You’ve ever felt awkward at a party?
You’ve ever used food to make you feel less awkward?
You’ve ever had friends or family members push you to do something new?
You’ve ever been the center of attention?
You’ve ever had a good time when you thought you wouldn’t?
You’ve ever felt like Dante at the end of his story- like you walked out of a dark room and suddenly the world opened up to you in a new way?
Did you raise your hand? If you raised your hand even once, that’s a story you could tell! Find someone to tell it to and try out a draft!
3. Activity
Do you have a signature dance move? If not, we can help you make one! Try to create a dance move inspired by a chicken wing, memories of a favorite night out, or your best friend.
Show us your dance move by posting and tagging us in it or emailing it to us!
Eye Spy: Directions: Dante’s story had so many good visuals, can you find the following images hidden in this photo of Dante telling his story? You’ll need to find a chicken wing, a fedora, a diploma, hoop earrings, musical note, and a spotlight
4. Share this post with a friend!
Click here for activity #7.
Dante Jackson graduated from the School for Classics in East New York, where he participated in the Moth High School StorySLAM. He is an aspiring writer and an actor who played Sebastian in his school production of Twelfth Night. His favorite color is black and he loves to make people laugh
The Moth Education Program works with young people and educators to build community through storytelling workshops, performances and innovative resources. To learn more, visit themoth.org/education
The Moth Education Program is made possible by generous support from The Kresge Foundation, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association Charitable Trust, the Kate Spade New York Foundation, and Alice Gottesman.
Additional program support is provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the New York State Council on the Arts, ConEdison, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.