The Encyclopedia of Interactive Performance

Two speaking players stand on either side of a listening player. The speaking players each tell the listener a different story, one speaking in the right ear, the other to the left ear. After one minute, the listener recalls as much of each story as possible.

Variations

Story and a book – Done with two players. One player reads a book or article while the other player tells a story. After a minute, the reading player recalls what was read and what was said.

Notes

• This exercise helps build multi-focus attention.
• Switching focus between stories doesn’t always work. With practice, both stories can be absorbed at once.
• If your body or mind gets tense, breathe.
• If the group doesn’t divide evenly into groups of three, try two players listening to two tellers’ stories.