Friday, April 25 – Intensives

Session A • 8:45-11:45am

A1 - Artistic Vision for Storytellers and Producers

A distinct identity sharpens your marketing and impacts who you book or who books you – how you program or what you tell. Dig to the heart of why you do the work you do. Built on Nancy’s experience as a story coach, festival director and storyteller, this workshop received 5-star rave reviews – “Worth the price of the conference!” – at the National Storytelling Conference. Examples, discussion, activities, controversy and treats!
For: Intermediate/Advanced Tellers and Producers, Organizers, Board Members

Presenter: Nancy Donoval

    • Nancy Donoval is a storyteller, story coach, and communication consultant. She was featured at the 2004 National Storytelling Festival. She served for nine years as the Executive Director of the Wild Onion Storytelling Festival in Chicago. Her one-woman show Dancing Rats and Vampire Moms was a hit at the 2006 Minnesota Fringe Festival.

 

A2 - The Spiritual Quest: What Does Story Have to Do With It?

In this experiential workshop participants will explore the relationship between story and their spiritual journey. We will examine how our stories shape our perceptions, influence our lives, and form our spiritual self-understanding. Throughout the workshop discussion will focus on ways to use this greater understanding and awareness to become more passionate human beings and effective story creators and tellers. By the end of the session participants will have created a wisdom tale to tell.
For: All

Presenter: Andre Heuer

    • Andre B. Heuer D. Min. LICSW uses storytelling within health care, social services, and spirituality circles. His doctoral work focused on spirituality and included research on the use of narrative in spiritual reflection. He is a formal columnist for Presence: The Journal of Spiritual Directors International.

 

A3 - That Reminds Me of a Story! Stories Within Stories

In this workshop we’ll explore the art of “The Story Within the Story,” enabling participants to enhance their narratives by extending perceptions of the characters and audience beyond the norm. Move yourself from teller/narrator to character, participant to observer, effortlessly stepping inside and outside of your tale. Tell the story as it’s happening, including diaries, letters, manuscripts, conversations and asides. The possibilities are as endless as your own imagination. Expand your stories to new heights.
For: Beginning to advanced storytellers, teachers, librarians, caregivers, spiritual explorers, healers, and all other classifications of sentient beings.

Presenter: Ben Rosenfield (registered Illinois CPDU provider)

    • A veteran teacher and school administrator, Ben helped write the Illinois Learning Standards for Language Arts. A former President of Northlands, Ben is the creator /artistic director of the highly popular Halloween "Scare on the Square," in Woodstock, Illinois, and host of the world famous Illinois Storytelling Festival’s Liar’s Contest.

 

Session B • 1:30-4:30pm

B1 - Grab the Space, Kids – Storytelling Basics

This participatory workshop focuses on how educators and other adults who work with children can help students communicate more clearly through telling stories. Participants will be led through various exercises or “challenges” that they can use to help children get a better sense of how to “get it across.” (Adaptable for any grade level, but especially good with children grades 3 to 8.)
For: Teachers, librarians, child-care workers, parents, storytellers working in schools, beginning storytellers.

Presenter: Michael Parent

    • Since 1977, Michael Parent has performed at hundreds of schools, libraries, theaters and festivals in the U.S., Europe, and beyond. He also leads storytelling workshops, and is known for his teaching abilities and for creating a supportive workshop environment. 1999 Recipient of NSN's Circle of Excellence Award.

 

B2 - Storytelling? Yes! You Can!

So, you want to be a storyteller!?! With over 20 years experience teaching young people and adults the art of storytelling, Judy will take you through “Six Quick Steps to Storytelling Success” This introductory workshop will give you a template for creating, developing and remembering exciting tellable tales, whether traditional or personal, and leave you with the ability and confidence to tell stories immediately.
For: Beginners

Presenter: Judy Sima

    • An award winning author, storyteller, and media specialist, Judy has been featured at conferences and festivals, schools and libraries across the country. Her book, Raising Voices: Creating Youth Storytelling Groups and Troupes, coauthored, with Kevin Cordi, received a 2004 Storytelling World Honor Book and 2005 Anne Izard Storyteller’s Choice Award.

 

B3 - Planting Seeds: Success Strategies for Personal, Services or Home Based Business Marketing (The Art of Getting Business)

If you are ready to move from business cards and brochures to marketing strategies that really work, this workshop is for you. Participants will learn why business cards and brochures are not effective marketing strategies (just tools); how to maximize their networking opportunities (and how to find them everywhere); and why they should never make another cold call again (yet still explore potential markets). Based on the book by the same name, Planting Seeds participants will gain valuable insight into what to say/do in the face of rejection, and will leave with an outline of their own effective marketing strategy and have the opportunity to receive one-on-one critique/coaching on their current marketing strategy and tools.
For: Anyone who markets anything to anyone else!

Presenter: Tanya White-Earnest

    • Trainer, speaker and consultant has successfully assisted individuals and home-based business owners with marketing and transition management. Tanya is currently pursuing a Certified MBA, and has worked with such companies as AT&T, Bank of America and The Ritz-Carlton. She is a contributing writer for The St. Louis American newspaper.