Art of Storytelling Workshops

*Free event, lunch not included

Workshop Descriptions

“Healing Through Stories” by Kevin Kling – In this two-part series, Kevin Kling speaks about the writing and autobiographic storytelling process, including the history of storytelling, and why we tell stories .  He also discusses the healing qualities of stories. Kevin has learned the secret of healing lies in two parts; sense of humor, and knowledge of self. Our society is in trauma these days, and it’s global-it’s a fever, and not just hot flashes. It’s cultural, with 9-11, and personal with the economy, war, and aging of America. We’re in an interesting time. A story tells us how we belong, who we are, what is funny and what is sacred , where we come from, and where we go after death. Stories ask the big questions, and even if an answer isn’t found in the telling, by the telling we know we’re not alone and sometimes-most of the time, that’s enough.

"From Here to There: Mining Our Personal Stories" by Minton Sparks – Social construction of meaning has a great deal to do with time and place.   Sparks believes that tremendous value lies in locating oneself within a particular time and place in history.  As everyone knows, many wonderful artistic pursuits are born out of autobiographies. Sparks’ poetry and performance workshop centers around two questions: “Where are you from?” and “How does where you are from inform the definition of who you are?”  Through her workshop, Sparks’ intends to offer participants an opportunity to better discover who they are through mining family stories (rural, suburban or urban).  She then guides participants through using these stories to create various words, pictures and performances.

"Mime and Movement for Storytellers " by Motoko – Come ready to move and have fun! Using mime, movement and improvisation, Motoko will guide you through exercises that will enhance your “physical eloquence.” Whether you tell professionally or with kids in the classroom or at home, this workshop will help you “activate” your storytelling! This workshop is for storytellers of all levels of experience. Through gentle exercises and fun theater games, participants will begin to grasp basics of mime (defined as “physical eloquence”) and to explore freedom of their own physical expression. The format is 80 percent hands-on, participatory exercises, and 20 percent theory and discussion. Participants will receive bibliography for further study.

"Crafting Myth, Folk and Fairytale" by Susan Klein – Susan Klein will discuss how to reinstate the folk process by successfully breathing life into old tales for contemporary audiences. Stories have been circulating among the folk for hundreds, sometimes thousands of years. Ironically, the one thing that has allowed us to become aware of so many stories – putting them in print –  has been the very thing that has thwarted the folk process and frozen them in particular renditions. As contemporary storytellers, we have the honor and responsibility of infusing the old tales with new life.

To attend any of these events, online registration will be available soon.