Most of What I Needed to Know about Storytelling I Learned in Dance Class for all experience levels and any size group
The story teller and story listener engage in a kind of dance that can feel as graceful as the winning number in "Dancing with the Stars" or as awkward as a seventh-grade cotillion. What makes the difference? After 16 years as a teacher of Cajun and zydeco dancing, storyteller Dolores Hydock has discovered that there are secrets of balance, trust, communication, and style common to both dancing and storytelling. Come prepared to be surprised at the "storytelling dancer" inside you ... and wear comfortable shoes!
Exit Stage Left: Acting Secrets for Storytellers for all experience levels and any size group
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. Come discover secrets to help you become a storytelling star!
Coloring Inside the Lines for all experience levels and any size group
You've got the outline for a story, now explore ways to fill in your story's characters and settings with color! Learn how to use sound, silence, space, and specific detail to bring your story to vivid life. Hands-on exercises make this session fun for beginning or experienced storytellers. Bring a story with you to work on, if you like, or just bring your imagination!
Toons and Tales: What Animated Films Can Teach About Storytelling for all experience levels and any size group
Animated short films deliver characters, conflict, resolution, and, frequently, an emotional punch, in a very short time, with no wasted words -- sometimes, with no words at all! What can we learn from these tiny gems of storytelling about detail, precision, conciseness, setting, and creating characters we care about? Come explore how the art of animation can help you create "the artfully told story."
"It's Impossible!" Story Workshop for storytellers beyond beginning level; limited to 15 people for full participation
Is there someplace where you're "stuck" in your storytelling work? Is there something in your storytelling adventure that seems "impossible"? Whether you're a relatively new teller, or have lots of storytelling experience, there's probably some part of a story, or some aspect of your storytelling work, that has you stumped. Bring it to this hands-on workshop!
At this have-it-your-way session, you decide what you want to work on ... plus, you'll hear what seems "impossible" to someone else, and learn from that, too. If there's nothing "impossible" for you right now in your storytelling, then just bring along a section of a story or a story idea you're working on to share with the group -- not for critique, but to give you the opportunity to work on it in a casual, supportive, encouraging setting.