TRY THIS: Interp a 'Wordless Story'

 TRY THIS is part of an on-going series of ideas, suggestions, experiments, and exercises coaches and competitors can utilize to expand their skill set. 

Image via BrainPickings

It's hard to do oral interp if you're not using your vocal chords. There are times, however, when we take our voices for granted. We expect all the power and emotion to come from our mouths. We shout. We laugh. We cry. We forget what our faces and bodies are doing when we're 'in the moment.' Unless we video tape ourselves or have someone point it out, our physical presence may not always be what we think it is. 

Bear Despair is a charming illustrated story that follows a bear's obsessive pursuit of its stolen teddy. There's anger! Revenge! Desperation! It's an excellent opportunity to try using your face and body to tell a wordless story. If a coach or team-mate watches, have them rank the intensity of your performance. Maybe your face isn't as expressive as you think it is. Perhaps you could have more power in your physical choices. Different circuits have requirements on the amount of movement one can use in a performance, so it is also a great chance to see how much you can convey while obeying the rules.