Exaggerate: [ig-zaj-uh-reyt] verb, to magnify beyond the limits of truth
A Christmas Story Workshop
Big Idea
Exaggeration can turn boring memories into exciting stories.
Essential Question
How do we turn a memory into an engaging story for the stage?
Objectives
Students will be able to turn memories into stories using narration and literary elements
Students will explore the art of storytelling through physicality.
Materials
-5 Line Story placards, 5 Line Story Worksheet
Pre- Preshow Discussion with the Teacher:
Time: 45 minutes
- The students will be doing a lot on their feet and will need to get into a circle for physical exercises.
Make sure the space is prepared.
- Ask teacher to think of a personal holiday memory they would like to share. It only needs to be 2
minutes or less, and that it doesn’t have to be a good story, just a memory. Be prepared to share your
own personal holiday memory if teacher is unwilling.
INTRODUCTION (1 MINUTE)
 A Christmas Story is based off the holiday memories of Jean Sheppard, so in a little bit I will be
asking you to share your favorite holiday memories.
 This can be from any holiday. (Arbor Day, Columbus Day, Birthday, Super Bowl Sunday)
 Take a moment to think about your favorite holiday memory, and hold on to that thought for
later.
What is Actors Theatre of Louisville?
o The State Theatre of Kentucky
o Home of the Humana Festival of New American Plays
o Who has ever been?
o Welcome to those who will be visiting for the first time.
WHY AM I HERE? (5 MINUTES)
o I’m here because you’re coming to see A Christmas Story.
 Raise your hand if you ever seen A Christmas Story.
 It’s A popular movie from the 1980s about a boy Ralphie growing up in small town in
Indiana, our neighbors of the North, during the 1940s
 Christmas Story is all about Ralphie overcoming one big obstacle to get what he wants.
He wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas and he’ll do whatever it takes to get it; even
if his parents and everyone else are telling him that it’s dangerous and he will shoot his
eye out.
 What are some moments within the movie that are exaggerated to make the story
interesting?
- Ralphie guarding the house with his BB Gun, Santa kicking him down a slide, dogs
stealing x-mas dinner
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Exaggerate: [ig-zaj-uh-reyt] verb, to magnify beyond the limits of truth
A Christmas Story Workshop

These are real and exaggerated memories of a real person, named Jean Shepherd. He
took these memories and made them into a really iconic, awesome story and then a
movie. But this ain’t the movie.
 We’re going through a different process- Memory-Story-Stage. What are some
differences between movies and live theatre?
- (talk about using your whole body vs. movie camera techniques like close ups and
voice over, cuts between scenes)
 What really makes our production unique from the movie is that we have elves. That’s
right, we have a group of professionally trained highly qualified elves, and they’re
hilarious. They have several jobs throughout the show, like making snow, doing crazy
tricks, and with their help they make everything possible.
DO NOW (5 MINUTES)
o Circle up. (Move desk in a circle if teacher allows; ask students to stand in front of desks.)
o Because Jean Sheppard uses exaggeration to make his story interesting, so we’re going to do some
exaggerating of our own.
 Have everyone start by doing a simple physical gesture like moving your finger up and
down.
o Let’s exaggerate this gesture. How would we do that?
o Now, let’s utilize our fully body in this gesture to exaggerate the movement.
o What sound can we make to help create a larger exaggeration of the gesture?
o Why do we use exaggerations when telling stories?
 They make a story interesting; so the audience in engaged with the story; to sound cool
o What are some examples of common exaggerations?
 The fish was THIS BIG; I walked 3, no 6, no 10 miles up hill both ways to school in the
snow.
*If time allows, try the exercise again.
MEMORY TRANSFORMATION (5 Minutes)
o What does a story have that a memory doesn’t?
 STRUCTURE; Beginning, middle, end; Plot
o At the start of class I had asked your teacher to think of their favorite holiday memory. Can you please
share that memory with use now?
 Be prepared to share one of your own holiday memories if the teacher is unwilling.
o Let’s take your teachers memory and give it some structure.
o Is this an interesting story? Kind of…but what can we do to stretch it just a little bit, and make it more
engaging?
 EXAGGERATION!
o What key part of your teacher’s story do you think we can exaggerate?
o How would the teacher’s story be different with exaggeration? Let’s structure it now.
 As a group, let’s act that moment out.
- What would that look like? How do you feel? Is it cold? Are you excited? Are you
scared?
*If time allows, try acting out the whole memory as a group
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Exaggerate: [ig-zaj-uh-reyt] verb, to magnify beyond the limits of truth
A Christmas Story Workshop
MEMORIES INTO STORIES (10 Minutes)
o Remember when I said we would be using those holiday memories…
o Everyone get into groups of…whatever number you think will work best.
 Step 1: Groups have 1 minute to vote on the memory they are using.
 Step 2: Groups have 1 minute to pick the person with the best handwriting and write the
story into the boxes on the 5-story worksheet.
- Remember, pick ONE element of the story to stretch. JUST ONE. Stick to the
reality of the memory.
o The stories you are writing were inspired by your memories, but remember that what your group
is creating is a story. These are no longer your memories.
 Step 3: Groups have 3 minutes to activate their stories into a full scene.
 Performance
o What is the best way to be an active and engaged audience member? Remind them that as
audience members, they are responsible for what they see. Pay attention. Watch the parts of
the story that are being exaggerated.
WRAP UP (5 minutes)
o What did you observe? What worked? What stood out for you? How did the memories change
when they went through this process? What was it like to have your memory staged?
THEATRE ETIQUETTE (1 minute- GO!)
o Leave gum at home
o Keep cell phones/iPods off
o Save talking for later
Appendix **Definitions of literary terms in case the class isn’t familiar**
EXPOSITION/INTRODUCTION= Introduces the characters, setting, and basic situation
INCITING EVENT= The event that happens to change the basic situation
RISING ACTION= The series of obstacles and conflicts leading up to the climax
CLIMAX= The highest/greatest point in the action and the turning point in the action
FALLING ACTION= The events after the climax leading to the conclusion (shows if the protagonist is
winning or losing)
DENOUEMENT/CONCLUSION= The final outcome of the story. The protagonist is either better or
worse off than they were at the beginning.
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