Becoming a Storyteller
Workshop # 2
Ruth Fraser and Tom Farley
Storytelling is a powerful way to communicate. No wonder Jesus used Parables! Do you have a story to tell? We will work together, developing stories of our own choosing (personal, created or traditional), gaining insights and skills, and sharing the stories with each other and in venues throughout the Gathering.
Percentage of time:
Worship/worship-sharing 20; Lecture 10; Discussion 20; Experiential 50
Open to all
Full Description
Expectations/objectives: Participants will explore storytelling as an extension of their ministry as Quakers in healing and reconciliation as well as personal growth. They will develop one or more stories for telling in the workshop with the possibility of telling in other times and places during the Gathering.
Advance Preparation [optional]: Attend a local storytelling event, listen to recordings of storytellers, read stories in collections from various cultures, or explore storytelling sites on the Internet. Bring a few stories you might want to tell or share with others.
Outline: [Each session begins with worship and includes centering/focusing activities.]
Session I Sunday -- GET ACQUAINTED
Introduction of participants: name, meeting, connection with Storytelling.
Purpose of Workshop
Activity: Share the story of your name with one person
2 minutes for telling. Positive feedback. Reverse
mini debrief “What were some of the things that people liked?”
Trade partners. Repeat activity
Debrief: You’ve been telling stories! What have you learned?
Assignment
Tomorrow we’ll be telling stories in small groups--either personal life experience or tales--be thinking of what you may do. We’ll need a brave/foolhardy person to tell one for the whole group as a demo.
Session II Monday THE STRUCTURE OF STORY
Brainwork:
What is the structure of a story? Snake that swallowed a goat.
What makes it a story rather than a rambling anecdote?
A story told [volunteer]
Feedback structure - Like - Add - Change
Small group work:
3-4 participants
Each tells a 2-3 minute story and listeners follow with
Like - Add - Change
Debrief small group work
Looking ahead--
Resources for additional stories.
Venues for telling stories during FGC
Session III Tuesday YOUR STORY AS ART
Check-in
Brain work
Framing your story [S]--What are examples of story frames?
How does a frame help a story?
Coloring Your Story[R]--How much of the background that you know, do you paint in for the listener? What does color bring to a story?
What is the purpose of your story?
Check: Are you going to prepare a personal experience or a tale? Should we re-arrange groupings?
Group work
Each person tells their story with everyone paying particular attention to the framing and coloring of the story. Use Like--Add--Change to give feedback.
Report back from the groups.
How did you use Framing, Color and Purpose to shape your story?
How is the evaluation/feedback system working?
Whip: One sentence recap of your story’s theme.
Looking forward: What are you wanting more of in the workshop?
Homework: Tell your story to one or two people--get feedback.
Session IV Wednesday – VOICE & MOVEMENT TO PRESENT YOUR STORY
Brainwork
Vocal characterization
What can you identify as ways storytellers use vocal choices to enhance the presentation? What qualities can you change? Is there more than one character speaking in your story? Does anyone speak? When do vocal changes distract or take away from a story?
Expressing story with your body - Walk-about exercise - Debrief
Small group time
Focus on movement, and voice
Report back from Groups
What have you learned/discovered
Sign-up for performances
Brainwork
Introducing a story. Giving credit where credit is due, acknowledgement of sources. How to warm up for performance.
Group work: Time to polish up your story for presentation. Check for consistency of tense or point of view. Regroup-debrief
Scheduling performances-recap
