Saturday, April 24 – Intensives & Workshops
Sessions C & D– 8:30-11:45am (with break)
CD1 – KidsTell It Write
Expand your use of storytelling in schools and libraries to encourage and motivate student writers in workshops and residencies in grades 2-9. Sue models classroom-tested activities that create enthusiastic writers – motivational, educational, fun, and interactive – and then offers participants the opportunity to practice those techniques. Leave with the tools you’ll need for a successful residency. Prepare yourself for an incredible transformation in student writing once they learn they’ve got a fabulous story to tell!
For: Experienced storytellers who want to expand their work in schools, librarians, educators
Presenter: Sue Black, Illinois
Sue charms audiences with her enthusiasm, warmth and creativity. She combines her passion for storytelling with her delight in teaching students and their teachers to tell and write stories. It’s an awesome combination! Sue is the recipient of the 2006 Prairie Area Reading Council Literacy Award. www.sue-black.com
CD2 – Stories with Spirit - Storytelling For Children In Hospitals And Hospices
Stories with Spirit is a national storytelling initiative designed to bring joy, healing and comfort to ill and grieving children, their families and caregivers in homes, hospitals and hospices. Goals include personal and professional preparations before and after telling, repertoire selection, and performance considerations. Included will be time for telling, reflection, listening and feedback. A resource packet of stories is included. Bring a notebook and pencil.
For: All
Presenter: Regina Carpenter, New York
Since 1993, Regi Carpenter has been featured at schools, libraries, museums, festivals, and family and community venues. She is at home with both children and adults and offers storytelling programs, workshops, and school residencies. www.soaringstories.com
Session C – 8:30-10:00am
C3 – Chinese Teahouse Storytelling: Its Styles And History (showcase)
Cathryn Fairlee has been studying in China since 1977 and speaks enough Chinese to travel independently. Her Master’s Thesis was on Professional Teahouse Telling. Listening to these month-long classical tales told while the listeners sip tea and eat snacks for two hours each day was a way of life for 400 years in China. Cathryn will give its history, show slides and tell a story to compare with a DVD of a teahouse teller performing the same story.
For: Intended for any level of teller, of particular interest to educators, librarians, social service workers and travelers
Presenter: Cathryn Fairlee, California
Cathryn Fairlee has been around the world collecting and polishing tales since 1982. She specializes in long epics and sponsors workshops on telling them. Her CD’s have won kudos as has her Master’s Thesis on Chinese Teahouse Telling. She is a supporter of the storytelling community locally, nationally and internationally. www.sonic.net/~cfair
C4 – S.T.E.P. into Storytelling: Small Beginnings to Help You Get Started
You’ve heard people tell stories and talk about storytelling, but now you want to actually tell a story. Jump on in! It’s time to tell! You’ll receive basic instruction on four principles (Setting, Timing, Expression and Pictures – verbal ones). Then, you will have the chance to learn, practice, polish and actually perform a short, self-contained vignette to a live audience. Anyone who uses a story to communicate an idea will find this to be “hands on,” practical instruction. Jump on it! It’s time to tell. Limit: 20 participants.
For: Best suited for beginners, but business professionals, librarians, teachers, pastors
Presenter: Heather Harlan, Missouri
Heather Harlan has been presenting stories to audiences of all ages for over 25 years. Whether it’s an Irish tale or an African fable humor, warmth, energy and often music hallmark her performances. Heather has two recordings available of mostly original music for families. hcharlan@gmail.com
C5 – Stunning Stage Pictures: Adding Physicality to Your Stories
We’ve all heard the cliché “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words.” When you perform a story, do the pictures you make with your body say as much as your mouth does? Come explore new ways to move and think about movement, including the 8 Efforts (or Qualities of Movement) developed by Rudolf Laban. Use these qualities to create dynamic new characters in your stories. Come well hydrated and prepared to move.
For: Storytellers of all levels who want to add more physicality to their stories.
Presenter: Katie Knutson, Minnesota
“Enchanting and magical,” Katie Knutson works as a storyteller, actor, playwright, director, improvisational performer and instructor. She has a background in physical theater and mask work that includes a degree in Theater and Drama. Knutson has used Laban’s methods to help other storytellers expand their physical vocabulary. www.katieknutson.com
Sesson D – 10:15-11:45am
D3 – Character Voices That Don’t Damage Yours!
Are your favorite character voices silencing you? Are you experiencing vocal blow out with certain stories? Learn strategies to reduce damaging vocal techniques while not sacrificing your artistic interpretation! This voice care workshop emphasizes troubleshooting YOUR character voices. Participants will explore vocal flexibility preserving the storyteller’s voice in guided exercises led by voice therapist and storyteller, Jean Armstrong. Bring your vocally demanding stories and characters for coaching and small group work.
For: Seasoned and new storytellers, teachers, all who tell (beginner-advanced)
Presenter: Jean Armstrong, Maine
Jean Armstrong, storyteller, speech pathologist tells original and traditional adult and children’s tales ranging from humorous, physical interactive stories with a flair for the incongruous and ridiculous to quiet, heartfelt performances. Armstrong, a vocal coach, on the Maine Arts Commission has performed and led workshops nationally. www.jeanarmstrong.com
D4 – How To Evaluate and Review A Storytelling Performance (A Sphinx 2.0 Workshop)
While storytelling has a tradition of “coaching” beginning storytellers, it had no tradition of publicly reviewing experienced performers, until now. The Sphinx 2.0 is a story performance critique tool designed to help audience members evaluate and write a review of a story performance for their local newspaper or website. Learn how Sphinx 2.0 works, what it can and can’t do, and how to write a simple, effective artistic review of a story performance.
For: Intermediate or advanced storyteller, business
Presenter: Kevin Strauss, Minnesota
Kevin Strauss tells stories that make you smile, make you laugh and make you think. He performs nature stories and speaks at schools on Bully Prevention and Drug Use Prevention. Kevin is the author of three books, including the award-winning “Tales with Tails: storytelling the wonders of the natural world.” www.naturestory.com
D5 – We Wanna Tell YOUR Stories!
Debra Morningstar, Enrolled Oneida Tribal member and Storyteller, addresses the many questions/concerns (on both sides) of this controversial topic regarding the *appropriateness* of Non-Indian tellers telling Native American stories. Exploration and discussion of traditional, tribal protocol, cultural integrity, and a historical overview of multi-generational trauma on Native people will be included in this workshop. Participants will be invited to partake in a traditional Talking Circle. Time for Q & A will be offered.
For: Anyone
Presenter: Debra Morningstar, Wisconsin
Debra Morningstar-Oneida Storyteller – Yukhika-l’atuhse? (She tells us stories) is an enrolled member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin-Turtle Clan. Debra has presented inspirational storytelling performances, keynotes and healing workshops across the US and Canada for over 22 years. For more information visit www.debramorningstar.com
Session E – 2:15-3:45pm
E1 – The Internet and Storytelling: Finding, Researching and Sharing Your Stories
A hands-on computer workshop for beginners. Basic computer knowledge helpful. Students will discover how to excavate the treasure trove of tales on the Internet. Explore the fastest and most efficient methods of researching stories, learn how to refine your researching skills, enhance your storytelling knowledge and increase your story repertoire. Bring your own laptop with wireless connection.
For: All
Presenter: Karen Chace, Massachusetts
Karen is the founder and director of a student storytelling club in her hometown and produces their Storytelling Festival each year. Karen writes a regular column, Stor e Telling, for Storytelling Magazine, and is a contributing author to National Storytelling Network’s publications, A Beginnner’s Guide to Storytelling and Telling Stories to Children. www.storybug.net
E2 – In Your Face!
If EYES be the window to the soul’ then FACE is soul’s yard, welcome mat & front door. With over 200 muscles, the storyteller’s face is a tool traveling the emotional landscape of a story’s psychological terrain. The views are vivacious, the glances gleeful & grim, mugs mirthful and melancholic. Jeff Gere’s facial aerobics lead theater games, improvisations, and stories exploring the subtlety, range and power of FACE.
For: Beginner, intermediate & advanced storyteller
Presenter: Jeff Gere, Hawaii
Jeff Gere was born on Halloween and lives in Honolulu. He hosts/ directs the Talk Story Festival (Hawaii’s largest storytelling event), produced the Talk Story Conference (July ’09), has 8 CDs, and received an NSN Oracle Award ‘07. Jeff has a rubber face: BIG FUN! www.jeffgere.com
E3 – Storyteller Laureate…It’s Your Turn!
YOU are the next Storyteller Laureate! It is time we take charge and remind our communities what an important role the storyteller still serves. Throughout history it has been our job to bring the news of the day, keep the history, and entertain the masses. Even though it may seem like technology has changed our role, we are now more important than ever. When the world goes dark, even for a moment, we can bring the people together. Come find out how to draw your community together and celebrate its diversity through story. Learn how to work with local politicians, community leaders, local historians, and other artists to build connections and working relationships. AND learn how to find the stories that make this job so much fun! I did it and so can you!
For: Storytellers – all levels
Presenter: Karen Pillsworth, New York
Karen Pillsworth has been sharing her stories and workshops for over 25 years in libraries, schools, camps, historic sites and festivals throughout the U.S. In 2002 she was named the STORYTELLER LAUREATE of Kingston, NY. Her work has been published in Storytelling Magazine and The Storytelling Classroom: Applications Across the Curriculum. www.karenpillsworth.com
E4 – Science: Tell it like a Story
Learn how folktales about nature hold attention, teach content, and inspire curiosity to know more. Science information shaped into “fact-tales” likewise can make complicated ideas easy to remember, and help students recognize the meanings in masses of facts. You will learn how to shape your own new “fact-tales” and will leave with stories for the telling.
For: All levels of storytelling experience, educators and those who work with them
Presenter: Fran Stallings, Oklahoma
Biologist Dr. Fran Stallings (“EarthTeller”) uses the traditional art of storytelling to impart modern science concepts and content while sharing timeless lessons of understanding and respect for our planet’s living things. She performs and teaches worldwide. www.franstallings.com
E5 – Toddlers Need Stories Too!
Come discover the ins and outs of telling to young children. We will explore ways to work with storytelling audiences that include babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Participants will gain insights into adapting stories for the very young. We will provide information on why storytelling is an important stepping stone to literacy and early brain development. Come play, learn and enjoy as we sing, move and share age appropriate songs, stories and activities for this age group.
For: All levels, anyone who is interested in working with young audiences.
Presenters: The WonderWeavers, Minnesota
The Wonderweavers provide quality youth, family and adult performances that are both educational and entertaining. They have performed and presented workshops and keynotes throughout the upper Midwest for the past 16 years. WonderWeavers-Storytellers help people of all ages exercise their imaginations and discover their creative energies. www.wonderweavers.com