Mirror/Echo/Tilt: Minimal Gestures
*The following exercise is from the full Mirror/Echo/Tilt curriculum, which is available here.
Minimal Gesture (or How to Abandon Words)
Using a prompt (e.g. isolation, desperation, anxiety) pairs of participants tell each other a story, or describe a moment related to a personal experience in as much detail as possible. Visual information is key (i.e. posture, time of day, clothing, expression, movement, color).
As the first person tells the story, the second person attempts to mentally record as much information as possible, before alternating.
Each individual then translates their partner’s story into a performative gesture (action, movement) without using words. Rather than capture the entire narrative, the goal is instead to relate the emotional content of the story’s most essential moment.
By subtracting from the performance more and more, the ‘actor’ should work toward distilling the narrative down to one memorable action that encapsulates the story.
The group is then given the opportunity to discuss their own interpretations of the scene.
The ‘actor’ then describes the scene and explains their own choices in translating the story.
Finally, the original storyteller may share the narrative, volunteering as much information as they feel comfortable.
How did it feel to have (the essence of) your story pictured in front of you? Do you agree with the person’s assessment of which aspect of your story is most important or essential? Did the performance and/or group’s interpretations in any way impact how you would tell the story next time?