Storytelling Masterclass Workshop: “Creating Original Stories”
Featuring Alberta Storyteller Kathy Jessup
November 6, 2011 - 9am-4pm
Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington Street
Intended Audience: This workshop is for tellers with performance experience who wish to explore creating their own stories. We will work on the structure and development of oral stories, addressing fictional as well as true stories (both personal and historical).
Worksop Summary: Participants will work their way through the various stages of story development: gathering ideas, developing a story line/structure, character development, embellishment and dialogue. They will also take the first steps towards learning their new story—finding out what works and what doesn’t, and re-working their original concept as necessary. Note: Participants need to bring pen & paper as some (minimal) writing is required.
Objectives: By the end of this workshop, participants will have:
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Learned the basic ingredients for shaping a good story
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Crafted rough versions of a fictional and a true story
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Tried various embellishment techniques
Method:
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We begin with a discussion on the differences and similarities between oral and written stories.
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Moving on to story development, we work through the various stages: first with a fictional story and then a true story. Variations on story structure are examined and participants are free to experiment with different styles.
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Participants choose one of their stories, and begin the process of learning it ---with emphasis on development rather than performance.
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Time permitting, Tellers share their rough story outlines with the group / feedback
Kathy Jessup is a former broadcast journalist, now enjoying life as a storyteller and children’s writer based in Edmonton. Over the past twenty years, she has performed at libraries, schools, concerts and festivals across Canada. Her CD of original stories: LISTEN UP! Tellable Tales for Hungry Ears is recommended by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre. www.kathyjessup.com
The fee for this course is $100 or $75 for OST Members.
Registration closes October 24, 2011. The class will be capped, so register soon to ensure your place. Please bring a bag lunch and “lug a mug” coffee, tea and juice will be provided.
For more information, email mad@ottawastorytellers.ca or call 613-322-8336.