Lesson #77 “If The Suit Fits” - Phill Branch
Thank you and welcome back! We are kicking off the school year with a story about a young man reflecting on his senior prom. He is discovering exactly who he is as he adventures to design the prom suit and dress for him and his date. Through this process, he learned a lot about himself.
This month’s Storytelling School story is: “If The Suit Fits” by Phill Branch Watch the video. You can read the transcript of Phill’s story here. After you’ve watched and read the story, you can do the following activities:
Talk to each other about Phill’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 developing a strong central theme.
2-3 Discussion questions:
- How does Phill’s journey to create the perfect suit and dress reflect his journey of self-discovery?
- What role do the different characters in the story (his tailor, his prom date) play in helping him understand himself better?
- How does the theme of "identity" resonate with your own experiences?
Let’s Play “Have You Ever” Raise your hand if …
You’ve ever had to wear something that didn’t feel like “you.”
You’ve ever gone on a shopping trip with a very specific idea in mind.
You’ve ever felt pressure to look a certain way for a special event.
You’ve ever made a bold fashion choice.
You’ve ever had a project not go according to plan.
You’ve ever learned something new about yourself by trying something new.
You’ve ever helped a friend with a major decision.
You’ve ever had an outfit that made you feel unstoppable.
Write or tell your own story.
At The Moth, we believe in celebrating the diversity and commonality of human experience. Often, listening to someone’s story will remind us of a story from our own lives. While you almost definitely have not had Phill’s exact experience, it still may have reminded you of a story from your life. Get inspired by these prompt questions to tell your own story!
Tell us about a time you tried to make something from scratch.
Tell us about a time you had an idea in your head that you wanted to bring to life.
Tell us about a time you had to overcome a challenge to achieve your goal.
Tell us about a time an outfit or a particular piece of clothing made you feel empowered.
Tell us about a time you discovered something new about yourself.
Tell us about a time you and a friend worked together on a project.
Share this post with a friend! And check back the second Tuesday of every month for another story.
The Moth Education Program works with young people and educators to build community through storytelling workshops, performances and innovative resources.
We are always looking for more young people and educators to join our storytelling workshops! To learn more, apply for a workshop, or refer someone you know, please go to themoth.org/education
The Moth Education Program is made possible by generous support from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association Charitable Trust, the Kate Spade New York Foundation, and Alice Gottesman, and The Paul & Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation.
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.