Storytelling is powerful.
Have you noticed a lot of chatter about “storytelling” lately?
Audible is known as the ‘Home of Storytelling’.
Joanna Gaines released her new book “The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters”.
It seems that every week there is a new biography or autobiography available on NEWSSTANDS EVERYWHERE!
Journalists, influencers, TED Talks, marketing campaigns and curricular programs place their attention on storytelling.
Why?
Why are we so intrigued by stories and the lived experiences of others?
The answer is connected to both history and neuroscience.
The Origins of Storytelling
Storytelling is a PRIMAL form of communication.
Archaeologists and anthropologists have traced storytelling back to almost a million years ago.
With the controlled use of fire for warmth, cooking, and defense; fire created a new form of social bonding, drawing people together once the sun set. In many cultures, this new form of social interaction sparked the evolution of storytelling.
The Brain and Storytelling
The primary function of storytelling is social connection. Storytelling is how we share passions, emotion, experiences, meaning and purpose.
Narrative structure is HOW we think. Our brains look for links, scripts, metaphors, similarities and patterns to connect experiences and to create meaning from situations.
We find comfort, predictability and certainty in the narrative frameworks that our brain creates.
We crave it.
Neuromapping of stories awakens neurotransmitters in the brain. Stories activate the frontal cortex, motor cortex and sensory cortex. Dopamine, cortisol and oxytocin are released into the body when we engage in storytelling. Stories ignite a neurological need, desire and reward.
The imagination is activated through storytelling and empathy increases as we envision stepping into another person’s world. Stories engage new ways of thinking and knowing.
As humans our brains look for stories to make sense of our experiences, relationships and environment. Our brain needs to map out the beginning, middle and end of every experience.
Stories provide order.
Why Does It Matter?
Stories are the most AUTHENTIC form of human connection.
Storytelling is at our societal and cultural core. Stories resonate deeply.
Stories connect us as humans and make us relatable.
Stories persuade us, inspire us, enchant us and entertain us.
Most important, is the HUGE impact that stories have on how we SEE and INTERACT with ourselves, others and the world around us.
Stories allow us to be SEEN and HEARD. Storytelling gives us a VOICE in this world, bringing value and meaning to the things that are important to us.
Deep within us, we all have a story. A quiet narrative that lives within us.
Have you ever thought about your story? What does your unseen narrative whisper to you?
A quick personal story…
I was a very chatty child. I talked non-stop (home videos will confirm this fact). I expressed all of my thoughts and questions aloud, mainly to myself, but nevertheless;) I felt that I had a voice and wasn’t afraid to share it. There was so much going on in my brain, it just had to come out!
When I reached high school, that all changed. I became a quiet and introverted person. I never raised my hand in class. I preferred to quietly go about my day, not being a bother to anyone. I studiously did my school work and music practice. I kept my thoughts and ideas to myself, because I didn’t think that anyone cared what I had to say. I didn’t have anything valuable to share, I was just a kid after all.
University was a different story. Music helped me find my voice. It was the storytelling that had the greatest effect on me. I was learning new repertoire at an incredible rate and my professors always started with the STORY. Not the rhythms, not the pitches, THE STORY. This was a new way of thinking and approaching music for me..and it was profound. I found my voice through story, and a confidence and a willingness to share it with others.
Storytelling and Transformation
Stories are the FOUNDATION for transformation, innovation and change.
Stories define us: the stories we tell ourselves, the stories we absorb and the stories we share.
At Donais Studios, our deepest desire is to help artists develop a strong sense of self-efficacy: the confidence and belief that they can and will succeed.
One way that we do this is through one of the tenets of self-efficacy: vicarious experiences. Vicarious experiences are imagination and storytelling: the shared and observed experiences of others.
The mission of RISE and RISE Prep Choirs is to create a transformative experience for young singers to use their voice in collaboration with others to affect powerful and positive change through the beauty of artistry and storytelling. And we are whole-heartedly committed to this mission.
We want young people to know and believe that their voice truly matters and can have a huge impact. Young voices matter. You matter and we want to hear YOUR voice.
Music and art have a special way of connecting us to one another, our humanity and the world around us through the power of storytelling.
The best way to find and share your voice is in a community where you feel SEEN and safe to tell your story.
We know you have a voice and it is powerful. We want you to share it unapologetically with us!
Keep singing,
~Andrea “I see you” Donais
P.S. RISE and RISE Prep Choirs have prepared a very special concert titled “Broadway: SEEN”. This concert will take you on an inspiring journey celebrating the beauty of our individual uniqueness, friendship, togetherness, wishes and dreams. Come and be seen! For full details and to purchase your tickets, click here.