Host as Storyteller: An Autoethnographic Inquiry of Narrative Construction as a Communicative Act

Abstract

This study explores the multifaceted role of the host as a storyteller, focusing on the analysis of the narrative construction as a performative and communicative practice in live events, as well as an act of cultural mediation. While the act of storytelling is a vital component of human social behavior and has been extensively researched in the context of media and literature, very few studies have examined live event hosts as narrative agents. This gap in scholarship is addressed in the present study through an autoethnographic lens. The researcher has taken on the role of both participant and observer to preserve the intricacies surrounding hosting as a performative and spontaneous practice.

The analysis incorporates communicative ecology and performance theory within a cultural narrative framework as a starting point for understanding a host’s function as a cultural mediator and emotional intercessor. The host’s narrative sculpting, resonating with a wide-ranging audience, is built on literature concerning media hosting, live event storytelling, and the psychology of narrative transport. The participant’s data came from direct observation, reflective journaling, and narrative analysis, along with the improvisational activities and storytelling mastery of the hosts, capturing their lived experiences. Analysis was carried out iteratively on emergent themes concerning how hosts develop and perform coherent, emotionally engaging, and culturally sensitive narratives for different audiences.

The study demonstrates that the host functions as a storyteller, co-constructing narratives with both participants and the audience. Instead of merely facilitating, the host shapes the event’s emotional and cultural significance. Through fragmented and multi-vocal storytelling, the host captures spoken and unspoken elements, ensuring the representation of diverse perspectives. The host’s responsibilities extend beyond storytelling, encompassing the role of a cultural custodian who sustains the event’s meaning and connects it to community values. Reflexivity further enables the host to examine this evolving role. Accordingly, storytelling in hosting is active, affective, and participatory, thus enriching the event’s depth and cultural resonance.