Saturday, Oct. 19
9:00 – 10:15 am
Dolores Hydock, Exit Stage Left: Acting secrets for storytellers.
The word “entertain” comes from the French “entre tenir” — to “hold between.” Actors and storytellers both practice their art in the mysterious space “held between” the actor / teller and the audience. Acting and storytelling are different versions of a similar art: taking audiences on a journey of emotion and imagination. This workshop explores some of the techniques actors know about expression and communication that can be useful to storytellers: claiming space, connecting with an audience, staying focused, remembering words, reaction and interaction, preparation, and other topics. The intention is not to turn storytellers into actors – rather, the workshop is designed to give storytellers another set of tools to choose from as they create their own storytelling style.
Keving Kling, Stories of Healing: Chicken Soup for the Chicken
People have always used stories to cope with this unpredictable world and our challenging experiences often make the most meaningful stories. When dealing with loss, we need to recognize each other as family and learn to see the universal in our personal experience. In this workshop, we will explore how to develop our healing stories in ways that are evocative, engaging, and often humorous.
10:30 – 11:45
Ray Christian, The Quick Story Process
This workshop explores the process of developing short oral stories (Story Slam Format). Attendees will receive instruction by way of example, demonstration and practical exercise, in the process of compressed storytelling method and development.
Ingrid Nixon, Vividness, Verve and Vigor: Playing with words
Vivid language, plus verve and vigor in delivery makes for engaging, memorable stories. In this active workshop we’ll explore creative, compelling ways to use language to enliven the tales you tell. Bring a story you are working on and leave with practical ideas you can readily put into play.
Heather McNeil, Let’s Begin: How to find, learn, and tell stories.
Unfortunately, Heather had to cancel her appearance due to a family medical situation. In her place, we have Gene Tagaban.
Do you enjoy listening to powerful stories but aren’t sure about how to begin telling your own? Heather will review basics for finding traditional, copyright-free stories, and review multiple ways to make them yours. She’ll also cover what she calls the “trolls,” the mistakes that lie in wait, ready to gobble us up and discourage us from persevering, such as voice control, eye contact and going blank. But trolls can be defeated!
Gene Tagaban, The Storytellers Journey: Storytelling, Mentoring, Discovery
Storytelling is an ancient tradition that reaches back long before all written and even carved pictograph history. The tradition of storytelling is a way of passing down, teaching vital lessons, and of course entertainment with a purpose. What is my place in this ancient tradition of storytelling? Am I a storyteller? What is my story? This workshop will explore the art, power,
magic, medicine and place of story. We will look at how to tell a story and relive its power but also to move and inspire all those who listen. This is a fun interactive workshop of empowerment, awareness and discovery. Participants will have a better understanding of storytelling techniques, confidence, purpose and self.
