WORKSHOPS
Workshop A - Starting Your Storytelling
Kim Lehman, Presenter
Just starting your storytelling journey? Kim is good at drawing maps! She’ll equip you with all the basic knowledge and skills you will need to get started. A safe and inspiring place for you to begin.
Kim Lehman is one of this year’s featured tellers. She grew up in Pennsylvania, but now calls Austin home. Many years of working with children has prepared her to be a big help to you. A beekeeper and craftswoman, creativity is her middle name.
Workshop B - Singing Into Character- Biographical Storytelling and Song
Dr. Judi Moreillon, Presenter
Using audience participation, songs, and chants, with minimal props and costuming, you can create a biographical storytelling experience that will touch the hearts and minds of your listeners. In addition to participating in the story set-up songs, we will brainstorm heroes and lyrical connections to add to your storytelling repertoires. A beautiful singing voice is NOT required.
Judi Moreillon has been telling stories as an educator and school librarian for more than twenty years. She teaches a course called “The Art of Storytelling” for graduate students in education and library science at Texas Woman’s University.
Workshop C - Telling 20th Century Folktales: Detective Stories, Sci-Fi & Comics
Rivka Willick, Presenter
Every age has its own folklore, and the 20th century had Science Fiction, Detective Stories, and Comics. Explore ways to welcome planetary exploration, sleuths in trench coats, and super heroes into your oral tales. Workshop will include specialized language, point of view, source material, and creating original tales. (Time Machines and bullet proof capes optional )
Rivka Willick is a professional adult storyteller, commercial writer and story coach who pushes the limits of the oral story. She’s led workshops and/or performed at Fringe festivals, Storytelling Festivals, conventions, historic sites, schools, universities, corporations, camps, and more. Her Shows include LABOR DAZE – “400 years of birth stories”, “A Taste of Yiddishkeit-Stories and flavors from the Jewish Tradition”, “Sci-Fi—Folklore for the 21st Century”, and “Transformations.”
Workshop D - Bilingual Storytelling for Non-Spanish Speakers
MaryAnn Blue, Presenter
Learn how to connect with your listeners in a meaningful way by using some Spanish in your stories, and how to tailor stories for your Spanish speaking audience to optimize comprehension and enjoyment. A little Spanish can go a long way toward keeping a predominantly Spanish speaking audience engaged in your story. No previous knowledge of Spanish necessary. Honest.
MaryAnn Blue teaches Spanish and coaches Storytelling at Saint Mary’s Hall in San Antonio; in fact, three of her students have been chosen as Torchbearers for the national youth storytelling competition. She has presented workshops and keynotes internationally to educators and storytellers on the use of story in language development and acquisition.
Workshop E - A Conversation With Kevin Kling
Kevin Kling, Presenter
An opportunity to spend some more intimate time with National Public Radio Commentator, playwright and acclaimed storyteller Kevin Kling. Hear the “back story” to some of your favorite tales and have the chance to ask some burning questions.
Kevin Kling describes his Zodiac sign as Minnesota with Iowa rising. He is a true son of the Midwest, accent and all. He is a repeated favorite at the National Storytelling Festival and other events around the country. Know for his humor and deep sensitivity, Kevin is the author of The Dog Said How and other books.
Workshop F - Fairytales: Finding the Heart of the Story
Mary Grace Ketner, Presenter
Fairy Tales are about transformation, evolving successfully from one stage of life to the next. An important topic, so why do Fairy Tales often fall flat with an audience? Learn new ways to ponder each tale and identify its special place in people’s lives. Consider which audience might benefit most from those meanings, then tell or read it to them!
Mary Grace’s love of literature, language, teaching and writing led her to make the transformation to “storyteller” some two decades ago. A member of TCA’s Touring Artist Roster, she appears often at south Texas schools and celebrations. In recent months, Mary Grace has partnered with Megan Hicks to form The Fairy Tale Lobby, an NSN Discussion group advocating greater use of this genre.
Workshop G - The Storymat: Strong and Powerful Stories for Young Children
Marion Leeper, Presenter
Strange creatures and magical stories appear from the storymat’s pockets. In this hands-on workshop, discover new ways of using props, try out joining-in techniques, reshape stories to involve and enchant young children. Go home with a story tuned to their interests and dreams. A hands-on workshop: bring a small collection of fabric, toys or natural materials. Seriously thought-provoking fun.
Marion Leeper works as a storyteller, trainer and educator for children in the early years. Her storymat has visited schools museums, libraries and festivals throughout the United Kingdom. She works with families, early years professionals, and children with special needs. Trained with Ben Haggarty, Hugh Lupton and at Emerson College, UK, she Cambridge Storytellers and has organized three storytelling festivals. She is visiting us from her home in the United Kingdom, where she lives in Cambridge.
Workshop H - Using Your Voice Effectively in Storytelling
Sue Young, Presenter
Whether you like to sing or your music teacher told you to just mouth the words, you can use your voice effectively as a telling tool. Learn how to portray different characters, add sound effects, add participation through song, song, chants or rhymes, care for voice and more.
Sue Young is an award winning songwriter and storyteller. She’s performed for thousands of kids and audiences of all ages. She has been singing since she was knee high to a grasshopper and she is convinced that everyone can sing and have fun using their voice.
Workshop I - Irish Storytelling: An Informance
Patrick Ball, Presenter
The Irish have one of the most compelling and highly developed traditions of storytelling in the world. Who better to introduce you to the beauty and complexities of this tradition than Patrick Ball? Part information, part performance—this presentation will keep you spell-bound.
Patrick Ball comes to us from California. He is one of the most widely revered Celtic harpers and storytellers in the country. A favorite at storytelling and Irish festivals, he is, at one and the same time, a fount of traditional lore and a consummate performer.
Workshop J - A Step by Step Guide to Collecting Oral History: Everyone Has A Story to Tell
Jacqui Rash, Presenter
Join us in learning the steps to collect oral history from your community, family, church or friends. We all have stories to tell and many are worth saving. Historians recognized that the everyday memories of everyday people have historical importance. Learn how to record your piece of history.
Miss Jacqui, “The Story Lady”, has been telling stories since she was 14 years old. She is the 2012 president of the Tarrant Area Guild of Storytellers and a Children’s Librarian for the Fort Worth Public Library. Her motto “Give a Hug and a Smile to Everyone.”
Workshop K - Telling the L-O-N-G Traditional Story
Cathryn Fairlee, Presenter
Cathryn has told epics since 1997 and organized epic tellings since 2005.
She will perform a taste of an epic. There will be discussion about methods of learning and breaking down fear of the long tale. Participants will have the experience of telling part of an epic, followed by discussion of respectfully and authentically telling an epic. Handouts of resources available.
Cathryn has been collecting and polishing traditional tales around the world
since 1982, using California as her home base. Her CD’s have won kudos, as has her thesis on Chinese TeahouseTelling. She is a supporter of the storytelling community locally, nationally and internationally.
Workshop L - Your Story, Your Journey and the Metaphor of the Labyrinth
Jay Stailey, Presenter
The Labyrinth is a walking meditation that comes from Medieval Europe. It helps focus your attention on the meaning of your own journey. Join Jay Stailey as he guides us in examine the spiritual meaning of our story and our journey
A teller-in-residence at the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, Tennessee and a featured teller at last year’s Texas Festival, Jay has also been featured at Winertales in Oklahoma City and at George West Storyfest. A two time winner of the Greater Houston area Liars Contest, he is the author of two collections of stories, “Short Tales, Tall Tales and Tales of Medium Stature” and “Think Rather of Zebra: Dealing With Aspects of Poverty through Story.” A retired school principal, Jay currently stays busy working with the School Improvement Resource Center in Austin, Texas, while freelancing as a leadership coach. His most recent adventure was storytelling for educators and children in Ethiopia as an ambassador for Ethiopia Reads.
Workshop M - Storytelling With String Figures: The Original Digital Storytelling
David Titus, Presenter
This hands-on workshop will explore the history and cultural background of string figures and their role in storytelling. Dave will model stories and figures for the participants. Simple String Figures will be taught, along with story ideas for each of them. Additional sources will be provided for the participants. Strings will be provided.
Dave Titus has been collecting and using string figures and stories in over forty countries (yes, you read that right, over 40 countries!) and many different cultures. He has taught thousands of children and adults in various settings and has produced books and videos in this field. Dave lives in Oklahoma.