SCHEDULE: Thursday, April 26

1:00-5:00	Master Class with Carol Birch
7:00pm	Story Slam - open to all conference registrants
8:30-11:00	Bonfire & Ghost Story Swap - open to all conference registrants

Pre-Conference Master Class • 1:00 – 5:00 pm

Additional Fee of $100 for this Master Class. Does not include the conference or any meals.

Do Tell!

Speaking with a perceivable attitude about the people, places and events within a story restores life - spontaneity, chi - to stories fixed in the silence of print.

It doesn't matter if the printed story originates as a literary text, an almagamation of versions of folk material or a personal story; once stories are written, storytellers often lose the expressive impulses that naturally shape and color conversations with friends. The focus of this master-class is on techniques that ultimately vanish leaving listeners with a path into a story that has been paved with integrity, intelligence and imagination.

For: intermediate and advanced storytellers
Presenter: Carol Birch

Known for a compelling blend of energy, warmth, vulnerability, and directness, Carol restores orality and spontaneity to the fixed silence of stories found in print. Carol has received the National Storytelling Network's Circle of Excellence Award given to storytellers setting standards for excellence and demonstrating a commitment and dedication to the art over a significant period of time. Over thirty years of experience have earned her a respected place in the forefront of the revival of platform storytelling: teaching at Southern Connecticut State University; lecturing at universities across the nation, as well as professional and corporate organizations; producing audio-anthologies; directing audio recordings for independent storytellers as well as August House, Lightyear Entertainment, and Weston Woods Studios; writing “The Whole Story Handbook: Using Imagery To Complete The Story Experience”; co-editing “Who Says? Essays On Pivotal Issues In Contemporary Storytelling”, the first book on the aesthetics of storytelling; serving as a chairperson of the Anne Izard Storyteller's Choice Award; and producing three award-winning recordings of her own stories.