Quick Description
To play I am a story…participants pick up something within arms reach of where they are for the video call. They hold it up to the camera. One by one they give that inanimate object a voice and explain it’s relationship to the person holding it.
How to Play
Have everyone on the call pick up something within arms reach. Ask them to hold it up so everyone on the call can see it.
One by one, ask them to give the object a voice and explain it’s relationship to the person holding it.
Suggest everyone start with the phrase, “I am [person]’s [object]. “
Give an example:
“I am William’s favorite pen. He found me in Canada a few years ago and he keeps me nearby to draw and doodle. I am his favorite and he’s never lost me.”
Once a person has finished, ask them to choose the next person to go.
Notes
- I am a story… is a great icebreaker. The can ground people in their location and reveal something personal in a fun way.
- Depending on the size of the group I sometimes suggest limiting the story to 90 seconds, but I don’t often have to set a time limit.
- Sometimes a person will drop the ‘role play’ and just tell the story of the object. Sometimes I gently nudge them back and other times I let it go.
- Debrief as necessary for your class or training.
- This can be a friction-less way to start storytelling.
Variations
After the ‘object’ has described the relationship they have with the owner, have the group ask the object questions to get a better understanding of the relationship.
Oh, I could imagine holding up two objects, giving them different voices and having a dialogue between them about the person holding the objects.
Origin
I learned this activity from an Open Space meeting of the Applied Improvisation Network hosted by Raymond van Driel.
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