With Character! Quick but sure-fire tricks and techniques for creating characters for storytelling

Part of the fun of storytelling is that the teller can switch back and forth between several different characters while telling a story. The teller's body and voice are the building blocks of those characters, so during this workshop, we start with an exercise that demonstrates how body position directly affects the voice. Then we experiment with how to find characterization ideas from photographs, from walking in a variety of postures, and from altering speech patterns. Finally, each person applies some of these techniques to a folktale (copies of which are provided as part of the workshop), and shares with a partner, so that everyone goes home with a new story they've told and techniques they can continue to use in the future.

Research, Learn, You're On! Building New Programs

You've been asked to tell stories for children, but the site wants a theme you haven't done before. This workshop gives you ways to find new material and alter stories you already know to fit the new theme. Participants see and hear examples of many story elements (such as songs, fingerplays, drawn stories, folded stories, dances, and puppets). As a group, participants build a new program during the workshop. Everyone goes home with handouts containing copies of some of these stories, fingerplays and extension ideas, plus a bibliography of the tools for finding these ingredients for any topic that comes up in the future

Leap Into Storytelling

One of the biggest fears people have is of talking in public. This workshop is a gentle introduction to the pleasures of storytelling. Participants hear stories. They exchange story fragments with partners. They get energized with some warm-up storytelling exercises. Finally, in groups they read short, simple stories and are led in an easy-to-learn technique to the point where they can retell a story themselves in an encouraging environment. All this and more in a workshop 1 to 2 hours long!

Reveling in Masks

Have you ever noticed how prevalent masks are in American culture, from wedding veils to Zorro's eye mask? Their roots go back to ancient Greek and Asian theatre! This hands-on class brings out the playful and evocative nature of understanding and making masks. Participants connect folklore with their own stories, and then create their own masks with easily-grasped techniques.

Objectives:

This class is designed to be 3 sessions of 2 hours each but can be adapted to the needs of specific groups.